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Pakistan-Afghanistan Economic Development Act

USA117th CongressS-1481| Senate 
| Updated: 4/29/2021
Chris Van Hollen

Chris Van Hollen

Democratic Senator

Maryland

Cosponsors (2)
Todd Young (Republican)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Pakistan-Afghanistan Economic Development Act This bill allows for duty-free treatment for certain goods from designated Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in Afghanistan and the border regions of Pakistan. Specifically, the bill allows the President to designate ROZs within Afghanistan or parts of Pakistan, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. The countries must, among other conditions (1) establish (or make continual progress toward establishing) a market-based economy, the rule of law, certain economic policies, a system to combat corruption and bribery, and the protection of core labor standards; and (2) eliminate barriers to trade and investment. Additionally, the bill allows the President to provide duty-free treatment for certain textile and apparel products, as well as nontextile and nonapparel products, from a ROZ through September 30, 2031. The bill sets forth requirements to prevent the unlawful transshipment of textile or apparel products. Further, it outlines customs procedures and enforcement. Products from a ROZ in Afghanistan or Pakistan may continue to receive duty-free treatment only if the President certifies to Congress that the countries have complied with certain requirements, including that the countries must designate a labor official. The President may withdraw, suspend, or limit the application of duty-free treatment under the bill.
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Timeline
Apr 29, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Apr 29, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • April 29, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 29, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Foreign Trade and International Finance

AfghanistanAsiaBusiness investment and capitalBusiness recordsCongressional oversightCriminal procedure and sentencingCustoms enforcementDue process and equal protectionEconomic developmentElementary and secondary educationForeign and international corporationsFree trade and trade barriersGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment studies and investigationsHealth care coverage and accessHuman rightsIndustrial facilitiesIntellectual propertyInternational organizations and cooperationLabor-management relationsLabor standardsManufacturingPakistanPoverty and welfare assistanceProperty rightsReconstruction and stabilizationRule of law and government transparencySovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusTariffsTerrorismU.S. and foreign investments

Pakistan-Afghanistan Economic Development Act

USA117th CongressS-1481| Senate 
| Updated: 4/29/2021
Pakistan-Afghanistan Economic Development Act This bill allows for duty-free treatment for certain goods from designated Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in Afghanistan and the border regions of Pakistan. Specifically, the bill allows the President to designate ROZs within Afghanistan or parts of Pakistan, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. The countries must, among other conditions (1) establish (or make continual progress toward establishing) a market-based economy, the rule of law, certain economic policies, a system to combat corruption and bribery, and the protection of core labor standards; and (2) eliminate barriers to trade and investment. Additionally, the bill allows the President to provide duty-free treatment for certain textile and apparel products, as well as nontextile and nonapparel products, from a ROZ through September 30, 2031. The bill sets forth requirements to prevent the unlawful transshipment of textile or apparel products. Further, it outlines customs procedures and enforcement. Products from a ROZ in Afghanistan or Pakistan may continue to receive duty-free treatment only if the President certifies to Congress that the countries have complied with certain requirements, including that the countries must designate a labor official. The President may withdraw, suspend, or limit the application of duty-free treatment under the bill.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 29, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Apr 29, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • April 29, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 29, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Chris Van Hollen

Chris Van Hollen

Democratic Senator

Maryland

Cosponsors (2)
Todd Young (Republican)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)

Finance Committee

Foreign Trade and International Finance

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AfghanistanAsiaBusiness investment and capitalBusiness recordsCongressional oversightCriminal procedure and sentencingCustoms enforcementDue process and equal protectionEconomic developmentElementary and secondary educationForeign and international corporationsFree trade and trade barriersGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment studies and investigationsHealth care coverage and accessHuman rightsIndustrial facilitiesIntellectual propertyInternational organizations and cooperationLabor-management relationsLabor standardsManufacturingPakistanPoverty and welfare assistanceProperty rightsReconstruction and stabilizationRule of law and government transparencySovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusTariffsTerrorismU.S. and foreign investments