A new law has increased the amount of textiles African countries can export to America free of import duty.

The higher allowance is buried deep within the legislative details of President Bush's recent trade bill which expands on the original African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

AGOA was put into US law two years ago and was an attempt by President Clinton to help selected African countries.

The latest US trade bill doubles the amount of clothes made of African fabric or yarn that can be imported into the country tax free.

Taking advantage

But Manga Mugwe, Chairman of the Kenyan Association of Manufacturers, told the BBC's World Business Report Africa may not be able to exploit the increased allowances.

"At the moment we haven't got enough capacity in Africa: we still need technical support - that includes even funding," he said.

"We need extra support so that we can start growing our own cotton, we have a nice climate, we have nice soil, we can grow the cotton."

Working in partnership

There has been criticism that Asian investors have used Africa to benefit from the original trade agreement.

Mr Mugwe said it is up to African governments to ensure foreign investors don't take advantage of the allowances.

"Our own governments need to put in place some regulation so that those Asian investors are subjected to really get on in partnership with the local people," he said.

"So that way we will have a guarantee some of the profits will be ploughed back to this country."