PUBLIC LAW 106-200—MAY 18, 2000 114 STAT. 253 (2) the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa form a region richly endowed with both natural and human resources; (3) sub-Saharan Africa represents a region of enormous economic potential and of enduring political significance to the United States; (4) the region has experienced the strengthening of democracy as countries in sub-Saharan Africa have taken steps to encourage broader participation in the political process; (5) certain countries in sub-Saharan Africa have increased their economic growth rates, taken significant steps towards liberalizing their economies, and made progress toward regional economic integration that can have positive benefits for the region; (6) despite those gains, the per capita income in sub-Saharan Africa averages approximately $500 annually; (7) trade and investment, as the American experience has shown, can represent powerful tools both for economic development and for encouraging broader participation in a political process in which political freedom can flourish; (8) increased trade and investment flows have the greatest impact in an economic environment in which trading partners eliminate barriers to trade and capital flows and encourage the development of a vibrant private sector that offers individual African citizens the freedom to expand their economic opportunities and provide for their families; (9) offering the countries of sub-Saharan Africa enhanced trade preferences will encourage both higher levels of trade and direct investment in support of the positive economic and political developments under way throughout the region; and (10) encouraging the reciprocal reduction of trade and investment barriers in Africa will enhance the benefits of trade and investment for the region as well as enhance commercial and political ties between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. SEC. 103. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 19 USC 3702. Congress supports— (1) encouraging increased trade and investment between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa; (2) reducing tariff and nontariff barriers and other obstacles to sub-Saharan African and United States trade; (3) expanding United States assistance to sub-Saharan Africa's regional integration efforts; (4) negotiating reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade agreements, including the possibility of establishing free trade areas that serve the interests of both the United States and the countries of sub-Saharan Africa; (5) focusing on countries committed to the rule of law, economic reform, and the eradication of poverty; (6) strengthening and expanding the private sector in sub- Saharan Africa, especially enterprises owned by women and small businesses; (7) facilitating the development of civil societies and political freedom in sub-Saharan Africa; (8) establishing a United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum; and 79-194O-00 - 10:QL3Part1
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