By Eyasu Zekarias

Ethiopia’s business network gears to bounce back from the fall out of AGOA, a partnership that lasted for the past 20 years, courtesy of the “African Sourcing and Fashion Week” which is said to be of great importance to the industry.

It can be recalled that the United States in January 2022 terminated Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from the AGOA trade preference program due to actions taken by each of the governments in violation of the AGOA Statute.

This event, which involves more than 300 exporters representing more than 25 countries, is expected to be attended by more than 6,000 industrial raw material supplier experts and an international audience.

Goshu Negash, president of the Ethiopian Textile and Garment Manufacturers Association, in an exclusive with Capital regarding the importance of African Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), said, “Even though we tried to continue with AGOA, it failed. The ban has allowed them to use other domestic proxy products as well as European market options.”

The event is said to provide an opportunity for more than 30 African designers and international buyers with Ethiopia in the mix to strengthen its network and brand.