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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release October 23, 1998

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The Administration is disappointed that agreement with Congress on passage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act was not reached this year. This trade initiative would afford greater market access for selected products from the strongest reforming countries in Africa and, by doing so, would help change the dynamic of our trade policy with the continent. The Act would complement the President's Partnership for Economic Growth and Opportunity in Africa, which aims to help move Africans from poverty to prosperity by increasing their economic opportunities. The Act would also benefit American companies and help workers by expanding our trade with the largest under-developed market in the world.

The President is committed to working to implement his Partnership and ensuring that the African Growth and Opportunity Act is passed early in the next session of Congress.

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