US grants African nations special tariffs

Thirty-five countries in sub-Saharan Africa have been granted preferential tariff rates for exporting goods to America by President Bush.

The president announced a 12-month continuation of the preferential rate in light of continued progress towards a market-based economy in the region.

The status was granted under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which the White House said offers important opportunities in fighting poverty and fostering development. Nations included are, Cameroon, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Namibia, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service