,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ajbb ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #be1 #bjba,mr4 ,durbin 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,boozman1 ,mr4 ,inhofe1 ,mr4 ,booker1 and ,mr4 ,cardin7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to create jobs in the ,united ,states by increasing ,united ,states exports to ,africa by at least #bjj percent in real dollar value within #aj years1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,increasing ,american ,jobs ,through ,greater ,exports to ,africa ,act of #bjba4 #b4 ,findings2 purpose 7a7 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,export growth helps ,united ,states business grow and create ,united ,states jobs4 ,ninety-eight percent of ,united ,states exports came from approximately #cjj1jjj small- and medium-sized businesses supporting #d1jjj1jjj ,united ,states jobs4 7#b7 ,in a ,february #e1 #bjba1 message to an ,african leaders meeting at the ,african ,union ,summit1 ,president ,joseph ,r4 ,biden reaffirmed the ,united ,states relationship with ,african countries as partners in the continent-wide spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation4 7#c7 ,many countries have trade-distorting export promotion programs that aggressively subsidize exports to ,africa and other countries around the world4 ,in #bjai1 there were #aae known official export credit providers around the world1 including export credit agencies1 up from #he in #bjae--;a #ce percent increase from #bjae to #bjai4 ,the increasing investment by foreign governments into export credit can threaten competitiveness of ,united ,states businesses abroad4 7#d7 ,between #bjjh and #bjai1 the ,people's ,republic of ,china alone provided more than #dfb1jjj1jjj1jjj in loans to the developing world1 and1 in #bjji1 the ,people's ,republic of ,china surpassed the ,united ,states as the leading trade partner of ,african countries4 ,the ,export-,import ,bank of the ,united ,states reports the ,people's ,republic of ,china's export finance activity is larger than all the other export credit agencies in the ,group of #g countries combined1 making the ,people's ,republic of ,china the world's largest official creditor with a portfolio more than twice the size of the ,world ,bank and ,international ,monetary ,fund combined4 7#e7 ,the ,export-,import ,bank of the ,united ,states supported #ab1djj1jjj1jjj worth of transactions to sub-,saharan ,africa from #bjji to #bjai1 while in #bjah1 the ,people's ,republic of ,china made up #bb percent of public debt stock1 and1 in #bjbj1 the ,people's ,republic of ,china made up #bi percent of debt service in low-income countries in ,africa4 ,the ,people's ,republic of ,china accounts for a quarter or more of all public and publicly guaranteed debt in ,angola1 ,djibouti1 ,cameroon1 the ,republic of the ,congo1 ,ethiopia1 ,kenya1 and ,zambia4 7#f7 ,the practice of the ,people's ,republic of ,china of concessional financing runs contrary to the principles of the ,organisation for ,economic ,co-operation and ,development related to open market rates1 undermines naturally competitive rates1 and incentivizes governments in ,africa to overlook the ,people's ,republic of ,china's troubling record on labor practices1 human rights1 and environmental impact4 7#g7 ,sixty percent of ,africa's approximately #a1bej1jjj1jjj people are under the age of #be1 and by the year #bjej1 one-third of global youth will be in sub-,saharan ,africa4 ,by #bjcj1 ,africa will have #ag cities with more than #e1jjj1jjj inhabitants1 as well as #ij cities with populations of at least #a1jjj1jjj4 ,both are factors contributing to rising household consumption predicted to reach approximately #b1ejj1jjj1jjj1jjj by #bjcj4 7#h7 ,when countries such as the ,people's ,republic of ,china assist with large-scale government projects1 they often gain access to valuable commodities such as oil and copper1 typically without regard to environmental1 human rights1 labor1 or governance standards4 7b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to create jobs in the ,united ,states by expanding programs that will result in increasing ,united ,states exports to ,africa by #bjj percent in real dollar value within #aj years4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,africa ,the term ,africa refers to the entire continent of ,africa and its #ed countries1 including the ,republic of ,south ,sudan4 7#b7 ,african diaspora ,the term ,african diaspora means the people of ,african origin living in the ,united ,states1 irrespective of their citizenship and nationality1 who are willing to contribute to the development of ,africa4 7#c7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations1 and the ,committee on ,finance of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 the ,committee on ,financial ,services1 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 and the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#d7 ,development agencies ,the term development agencies includes the ,united ,states ,department of ,state1 the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 the ,millennium ,challenge ,corporation1 the ,united ,states ,international ,development ,finance ,corporation1 the ,united ,states ,trade and ,development ,agency1 the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture1 and relevant multilateral development banks4 7#e7 ,multilateral development banks ,the term multilateral development banks has the meaning given that term in section #agja7;c77#d7 of the ,international ,financial ,institutions ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bfbr7c77#d77 and includes the ,african ,development ,foundation4 7#f7 ,sub-,saharan region ,the term sub-,saharan region refers to the #di countries listed in section #ajg of the ,african ,growth and ,opportunity ,act 7#ai ,u4,s4,c4 #cgjf74 7#g7 ,trade policy staff committee ,the term ,trade ,policy ,staff ,committee means the ,trade ,policy ,staff ,committee established pursuant to section #bjjb4b of title #ae1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 which is composed of representatives of ,federal agencies in charge of developing and coordinating ,united ,states positions on international trade and trade-related investment issues4 7#h7 ,trade ,promotion ,coordinating ,committee ,the term ,trade ,promotion ,coordinating ,committee means the ,trade ,promotion ,coordinating ,committee established under section #bcab of the ,export ,enhancement ,act of #aihh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #dgbg74 7#i7 ,united ,states and ,foreign ,commercial ,service ,the term ,united ,states and ,foreign ,commercial ,service means the ,united ,states and ,foreign ,commercial ,service established by section #bcja of the ,export ,enhancement ,act of #aihh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #dgba74 #d4 ,strategy 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall establish a comprehensive ,united ,states strategy for public and private investment1 trade1 and development in ,africa4 7b7 ,focus of strategy ,the strategy required by subsection 7a7 shall focus on-- 7#a7 increasing exports of ,united ,states goods and services to ,africa by #bjj percent in real dollar value within #aj years from the date of the enactment of this ,act2 7#b7 promoting the alignment of ,united ,states commercial interests with development priorities in ,africa2 7#c7 developing relationships between the governments of countries in ,africa and ,united ,states businesses that have an expertise in such issues as critical energy security1 infrastructure development1 technology1 telecommunications1 and agriculture2 7#d7 improving the competitiveness of ,united ,states businesses in ,africa1 including by encouraging the adoption of ,united ,states construction codes and product standards1 with emphasis on those designated as ,american ,national ,standards by the ,american ,national ,standards ,institute where applicable2 7#e7 exploring the role the ,african diaspora can play in enhancing competitiveness of ,united ,states businesses in ,africa and ways that ,african diaspora remittances can help communities in ,africa tackle economic1 development1 and infrastructure financing needs2 7#f7 promoting economic integration in ,africa through working with the subregional economic communities1 supporting efforts for deeper integration through the development of customs unions within western and central ,africa and within eastern and southern ,africa1 eliminating time-consuming border formalities into and within these areas1 and supporting regionally based infrastructure projects2 7#g7 encouraging a greater understanding among ,united ,states business and financial communities of the opportunities ,africa holds for ,united ,states exports2 7#h7 fostering partnership opportunities between ,united ,states and ,african small- and medium-sized enterprises2 7#i7 supporting ,african entrepreneurship and private sector development as a means to sustainable economic growth and security2 and 7#aj7 monitoring-- 7,a7 market loan rates and the availability of capital for ,united ,states business investment in ,africa2 7,b7 loan rates offered by the governments of other countries for investment in ,africa2 and 7,c7 the policies of other countries with respect to export financing for investment in ,africa that are predatory or distort markets4 7c7 ,consultations ,in developing the strategy required by subsection 7a71 the ,president shall consult with-- 7#a7 ,congress2 7#b7 each agency that is a member of the ,trade ,promotion ,coordinating ,committee2 7#c7 the relevant multilateral development banks1 in coordination with the ,secretary of the ,treasury and the respective ,united ,states ,executive ,directors of such banks2 7#d7 each agency that participates in the ,trade ,policy ,staff ,committee2 7#e7 the ,president's ,export ,council2 7#f7 each of the development agencies2 7#g7 any other ,federal agencies with responsibility for export promotion or financing and development2 and 7#h7 the private sector1 including businesses1 nongovernmental organizations1 and ,african diaspora groups4 7d7 ,submission to ,congress 7#a7 ,strategy ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall submit to ,congress the strategy required by subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,progress report ,not later than #c years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall submit to ,congress a report on the implementation of the strategy required by subsection 7a74 7#c7 ,content of report ,the report required by paragraph 7#b7 shall include an accounting of all current ,united ,states ,government programs to promote exports to and trade with ,africa and to assist ,united ,states businesses competing in the ,african market as well as an assessment of the extent to which the strategy required by subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 has been successful in developing critical analyses of policies to increase exports to ,africa2 7,b7 has been successful in increasing the competitiveness of ,united ,states businesses in ,africa2 7,c7 has been successful in creating jobs in the ,united ,states1 including the nature and sustainability of such jobs2 7,d7 has provided sufficient ,united ,states ,government support to meet third-country competition in the region2 7,e7 has been successful in helping the ,african diaspora in the ,united ,states participate in economic growth in ,africa2 7,f7 has been successful in promoting economic integration in ,africa2 7,g7 has encouraged specific policies and programs in ,africa that provide a stable1 safe1 and transparent environment in which business and entrepreneurship can thrive2 and 7,h7 has made a meaningful contribution to the transformation of ,africa and its full integration into the #bast century world economy1 not only as a supplier of primary products but also as full participant in international supply and distribution chains and as a consumer of international goods and services4 #e4 ,special ,africa ,export ,strategy ,coordinator ,the ,president shall designate an individual to serve as ,special ,africa ,export ,strategy ,coordinator-- 7#a7 to oversee the development and implementation of the strategy required by section #d2 and 7#b7 to coordinate with the ,trade ,promotion ,coordinating ,committee1 the ,assistant ,united ,states ,trade ,representative for ,african ,affairs1 and development agencies with respect to developing and implementing the strategy4 #f4 ,trade mission to ,africa ,it is the sense of ,congress that1 not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,commerce and other high-level officials of the ,united ,states ,government with responsibility for export promotion1 financing1 and development should conduct a joint trade mission to ,africa4 #g4 ,personnel 7a7 ,united ,states and ,foreign ,commercial ,service 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,commerce shall ensure that not less than #aj total ,united ,states and ,foreign ,commercial ,service officers are assigned to ,africa for each of the first #e fiscal years beginning after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,assignment ,the ,secretary shall1 in consultation with the ,trade ,promotion ,coordinating ,committee and the ,special ,africa ,export ,strategy ,coordinator1 assign the ,united ,states and ,foreign ,commercial ,service officers described in paragraph 7#a7 to ,united ,states embassies or consulates in ,africa after conducting a timely resource allocation analysis that represents a forward-looking assessment of future ,united ,states trade opportunities in ,africa4 7#c7 ,multilateral development banks 7,a7 ,in general ,as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,commerce shall1 using existing staff1 assign not less than #a full-time ,united ,states and ,foreign ,commercial ,service officer to be split between the office of the ,united ,states ,executive ,director at the ,world ,bank and the ,african ,development ,bank4 7,b7 ,responsibilities ,each ,united ,states and ,foreign ,commercial ,service officer assigned under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be responsible for-- 7i7 increasing the access of ,united ,states businesses to procurement contracts with the multilateral development bank to which the officer is assigned2 and 7ii7 facilitating the access of ,united ,states businesses to risk insurance1 equity investments1 consulting services1 and lending provided by that bank4 7b7 ,export-,import bank of the ,united ,states ,of the amounts collected by the ,export-,import ,bank that remain after paying the expenses the ,bank is authorized to pay from such amounts for administrative expenses1 the ,bank shall use sufficient funds to do the following3 7#a7 ,increase the number of staff dedicated to expanding business development for ,africa1 including increasing the number of business development trips the ,bank conducts to ,africa and the amount of time staff spends in ,africa to meet the goals set forth in section #i and paragraph 7#e7 of section #f7;a7 of the ,export-,import ,bank of #aide1 as added by section #i7;a77#b74 7#b7 ,maintain an appropriate number of employees of the ,bank assigned to ,united ,states field offices of the ,bank to be distributed as geographically appropriate through the ,united ,states4 ,such offices shall coordinate with the related export efforts undertaken by the ,small ,business ,administration regional field offices4 7#c7 ,upgrade the ,bank's equipment and software to more expeditiously1 effectively1 and efficiently process and track applications for financing received by the ,bank4 7c7 ,united ,states ,international ,development ,finance ,corporation 7#a7 ,staffing ,of the net offsetting collections collected by the ,united ,states ,international ,development ,finance ,corporation and used for administrative expenses1 the ,corporation shall use sufficient funds to increase by not more than #b the staff needed to promote stable and sustainable economic growth and development in ,africa1 to strengthen and expand the private sector in ,africa1 and to facilitate the general economic development of ,africa1 with a particular focus on helping ,united ,states businesses expand into ,african markets4 7#b7 ,report ,the ,corporation shall report to the appropriate congressional committees on whether recent technology upgrades have resulted in more effective and efficient processing and tracking of applications for financing received by the ,corporation4 7#c7 ,certain costs not considered administrative expenses ,for purposes of this subsection1 systems infrastructure costs associated with activities authorized by the ,better ,utilization of ,investments ,leading to ,development ,act of #bjah 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #ifja et seq47 shall not be considered administrative expenses4 7d7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section shall be construed as permitting the reduction of personnel of the ,department of ,commerce1 the ,department of ,state1 the ,export-,import ,bank of the ,united ,states1 or the ,united ,states ,international ,development ,finance ,corporation or the alteration of planned personnel increases in other regions1 except where a personnel decrease was previously anticipated or where decreased export opportunities justify personnel reductions4 #h4 ,training ,the ,president shall develop a plan-- 7#a7 to standardize the training received by ,united ,states and ,foreign ,commercial ,service officers1 economic officers of the ,department of ,state1 and economic officers of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development with respect to the programs and procedures of the ,export-,import ,bank of the ,united ,states1 the ,united ,states ,international ,development ,finance ,corporation1 the ,small ,business ,administration1 and the ,united ,states ,trade and ,development ,agency2 and 7#b7 to ensure that1 not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act-- 7,a7 all ,united ,states and ,foreign ,commercial ,service officers that are stationed overseas receive the training described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 in the case of a country to which no ,united ,states and ,foreign ,commercial ,service officer is assigned1 any economic officer of the ,department of ,state stationed in that country receives that training4 #i4 ,export-,import ,bank financing 7a7 ,financing for projects in ,africa 7#a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that foreign export credit agencies are providing financing in ,africa that is not compliant with the ,arrangement of the ,organisation for ,economic ,co-operation and ,development1 which is trade distorting and threatens ,united ,states jobs4 7#b7 ,in general ,section #f7;a7 of the ,export-,import ,bank ,act of #aide 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #fce;e7a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 ,percent of financing to be used for projects in ,africa ,the ,bank shall1 to the extent that there are acceptable final applications1 increase the amount it finances to ,africa over the prior year's financing for each of the first #e fiscal years beginning after the date of the enactment of the ,increasing ,american ,jobs ,through ,greater ,exports to ,africa ,act of #bjba4 4 7#c7 ,report required 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter for #e years1 the ,export-,import ,bank of the ,united ,states shall submit to the committees specified in subsection 7d7 a report if the ,bank has not used at least #aj percent of its lending capabilities for projects in ,africa as described in paragraph 7#e7 of section #f7;a7 of the ,export-,import ,bank of #aide1 as added by paragraph 7#b71 during the preceding year4 7,b7 ,elements ,each report required by subparagraph 7,a7 shall include a description of-- 7i7 the reasons why the ,bank failed to reach the goal described in that subparagraph2 and 7ii7 all final applications for projects in ,africa that the ,bank did not support4 7b7 ,availability of portion of capitalization ,to compete against foreign concessional loans 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,bank shall make available annually such amounts as are necessary for loans that counter trade-distorting financing that is not compliant with the ,arrangement of the ,organisation for ,economic ,co-operation and ,development or preferential1 tied aid1 or other related non-market loans offered by other countries with which ,united ,states businesses are also competing or interested in competing4 7#b7 ,report required 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter for #e years1 the ,export-,import ,bank shall submit to the committees specified in subsection 7d7 a report on all loans made or rejected by the ,bank during the preceding year that were considered to counter trade-distorting financing that is not compliant with the ,arrangement of the ,organisation for ,economic ,co-operation and ,development and was offered by other countries to its firms4 7,b7 ,inclusion ,each report required by subparagraph 7,a7 shall include a description of the terms of the financing described in that subparagraph offered by other countries to firms that competed against the ,united ,states firms4 7c7 ,trade ,secrets ,act ,a report required by subsection 7a77#c7 or subsection 7b77#b7 may not disclose any information that is confidential or business proprietary1 or that would violate section #aije of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,trade ,secrets ,act74 7d7 ,committees specified ,the committees specified in this subsection are-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations1 and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7#b7 the ,committee on ,financial ,services1 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 #aj4 ,small business administration ,section #bb7;b7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdi7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,director of the ,united ,states ,trade and ,development ,agency1 and inserting the ,director of the ,united ,states ,trade and ,development ,agency1 the ,trade ,promotion ,coordinating ,committee12 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by inserting regional offices of the ,export-,import ,bank of the ,united ,states1 after ,retired ,executives14 #aa4 ,bilateral1 subregional1 and regional1 and multilateral agreements 7a7 ,in general ,where applicable1 the ,president shall explore opportunities to negotiate bilateral1 subregional1 and regional agreements that encourage trade and eliminate nontariff barriers to trade between countries1 such as negotiating investor-friendly double-taxation treaties and investment promotion agreements4 7b7 ,agreements with ,african countries ,to the extent any agreement described in subsection 7a7 exists between the ,united ,states and an ,african country1 the ,president shall ensure that the agreement is being implemented in a manner that maximizes the positive effects for ,united ,states trade1 export1 and labor interests as well as the economic development of the countries in ,africa4 7c7 ,consideration of objectives ,united ,states negotiators in multilateral fora should take into account the objectives of this ,act4