Athens, Ga. – The Office of International Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia has been awarded a $187,000 grant by the U.S. State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to develop business links between textile and apparel firms in the United States and those in Uganda.
The grant is a partnership between UGA, the Ugandan Investment Authority and the East Africa-American Business Council in Atlanta. The goal of the project is to create opportunities for U.S. and Ugandan firms to do business that translates into economic growth and jobs for both countries.
“This project is a good example of the university addressing an important need in the state — providing business opportunities to Georgians. It is also an excellent example of competing in a global economy, and, in this case, everyone benefits,” said Art Dunning, vice president for public service and outreach.
The project is an important manifestation of the African Growth and Opportunities Act of 2000, which provides market access provisions for 38 sub-Saharan African countries. The act has the potential to transform the future of U.S.-Africa trade by promoting increased trade and economic cooperation between the United States and eligible sub-Saharan African countries.
The grant is also part of the Africa Initiative on campus – a joint initiative of the African Studies Institute and the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach. “The goal of the Africa Initiative is to engage in projects with African partners that build capacity in Africa and at home in Georgia. In this case, it’s capacity in international trade,” said Glenn Ames, director of international public service and outreach.
Campus partners in the grant include International Public Service and Outreach; the Small Business Development Center, International Trade Division; the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, department of textiles, merchandising and iInteriors; the Dean Rusk Center at the School of Law; the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; the department of biological and agricultural engineering; and the African Studies Institute. There will also be a service-learning component. Graduate students will conduct hands-on marketing research for U.S. and Ugandan firms.
The Uganda project follows on the heels of a similar project in Kenya coordinated by the Office of International Public Service and Outreach. Both projects were awarded to UGA by the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State under the ECA/PE/C open competition.
