The United States Congress has passed a Bill that will enable the sub-Saharan African nation of Mauritius to compete in the global apparel industry by giving it the ability to use third-country fabric in its apparel exports that qualify under AGOA.

Rep. Jim McDermott was selected to manage passage of the legislation in the House.

“We are building on what we have done in the past legislatively through AGOA to assist the lesser developed nations of Africa, but more importantly, we are demonstrating what we stand for as a nation in caring about other countries and the role we intend to play as a world leader to promote economic and social justice,” McDermott said.

The passing of the Bill is seen as a significant economic victory for African nations. Inside the chairman’s legislation is  McDermott’s previous stand-alone bill, H.R. 5059, to repeal the Abundant Supply Provision in the African Growth and Opportunity Act, because it has significantly curtailed the manufacture and export of clothing from several African nations officially classified as lesser developed nations, and to add Mauritius to the list.

McDermott said the repeal of the Abundant Supply Provision was the top priority expressed by African trade ministers during an international conference held two weeks ago in Washington, D.C.

He noted the bi-partisan nature of the legislation  and praised the leadership of Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel, Trade Subcommittee Chairman Sander Levin, and Ranking Ways and Means Member Jim McCrery, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Wally Herger.

“Earlier this month, the Committee on Ways and Means hosted the trade ministers from the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. They told us that apparel exports under AGOA have declined 15 percent this year and that thousands of jobs are at risk, if we do not appeal the abundant supply provision. By doing so today, we demonstrate that we have listened to Africa and that we are responding, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans,” Mc Dermott said.