US President George W. Bush on Wednesday renewed for a year the eligibility of 35 nations in sub-Saharan Africa for tariff preferences on exports to the United States, the White House announced. The statement said the designation reflects ”continued progress toward a market-based economy, the rule of law, free trade, economic policies that will reduce poverty and protection of workers’ rights.” 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” in the region. The countries affected are: Benin; Botswana; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Gabon; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Kenya; Lesotho; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia; Niger; Nigeria; Rwanda; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; the Seychelles; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Swaziland; Tanzania; Uganda; and Zambia. – Sapa-AFP