Bilateral trade between the US and ECOWAS countries at the end of 2011 was $42.6 billion ($42,619,933,000) rising from $36.6 billion in 2010.
Figures released by the US Department of Commerce showed that US exports to the ECOWAS region in 2011 was $7,436,184,000 while its imports from the West African bloc was $35,183,749,000.
Major items traded among the two were agricultural products, forest products, chemical products, energy-related products, textiles, minerals among others.
Founded on May 28, 1975, ECOWAS currently has 15 countries as members.
By Ekow Quandzie
