| The Andean Trade
Preference Act (ATPA), is a program in which the
United States grants duty-free entry of merchandise
to
Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The ATPA was
enacted into law on 4 December 1991. The objective of the ATPA is to combat drug production and trafficking by
offering trade benefits to help countries diversify
and strengthen legitimate industries.
Under the 2002 Trade Act, the ATPA, which was
scheduled to expire on 4 December 2001, was expanded
through the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug
Eradication Act (ATPDEA) which was signed into law
on 6 August 2002 and became Public Law 107-210.
As per Section 208 of the legislation, the
preferences are to be in effect until 31 December
2006.
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