118 STAT. 821 PUBLIC LAW 108–274—JULY 13, 2004 world, and most sub Saharan African countries have sought to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Act. (8) Agricultural biotechnology holds promise for helping solve global food security and human health crises in Africa and, according to recent studies, has made contributions to the protection of the environment by reducing the application of pesticides, reducing soil erosion, and creating an environment more hospitable to wildlife. (9) (A) One of the greatest challenges facing African coun tries continues to be the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has infected as many as one out of every four people in some countries, creating tremendous social, political, and economic costs. Afri can countries need continued United States financial and tech nical assistance to combat this epidemic. (B) More awareness and involvement by governments are necessary. Countries like Uganda, recognizing the threat of HIV/AIDS, have boldly attacked it through a combination of education, public awareness, enhanced medical infrastructure and resources, and greater access to medical treatment. An effective HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment strategy involves all of these steps. (10) African countries continue to need trade capacity assistance to establish viable economic capacity, a well grounded rule of law, and efficient government practices. SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY. The Congress supports— (1) a continued commitment to increase trade between the United States and sub Saharan Africa and increase investment in sub Saharan Africa to the benefit of workers, businesses, and farmers in the United States and in sub Saharan Africa, including by developing innovative approaches to encourage development and investment in sub Saharan Africa; (2) a reduction of tariff and nontariff barriers and other obstacles to trade between the countries of sub Saharan Africa and the United States, with particular emphasis on reducing barriers to trade in emerging sectors of the economy that have the greatest potential for development; (3) development of sub Saharan Africa’s physical and finan cial infrastructure; (4) international efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuber culosis, other infectious diseases, and serious public health problems; (5) many of the aims of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), which include— (A) reducing poverty and increasing economic growth; (B) promoting peace, democracy, security, and human rights; (C) promoting African integration by deepening link ages between African countries and by accelerating Africa’s economic and political integration into the rest of the world; (D) attracting investment, debt relief, and development assistance; (E) promoting trade and economic diversification; (F) broadening global market access for United States and African exports; 19 USC 3701 note.
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