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Africa
The COMESA
states, in implementing a free trade area, are well on their way to achieving
their target of removing all internal trade tariffs and barriers, an exercise
which is to be completed by the year 2000.
COMESA's current strategy can thus be summed up in the phrase 'economic
prosperity through regional integration'. With its 19 member states, population
of over 389 million and annual import bill of around US$32 billion with an
export bill of US$82 billion COMESA forms a major market place for both internal
and external trading. Its area is impressive on the map of the African Continent
covering a geographical area of 12 Million (sq km). Its achievements to date
have been significant. (
A Free Trade Area
The FTA was achieved on 31st October, 2000 when nine of the member States
namely Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Sudan, Zambia and
Zimbabwe eliminated their tariffs on COMESA originating products, in accordance
with the tariff reduction schedule adopted in 1992.This followed a trade
liberalisation programme that commenced in 1984 on reduction and eventual
elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to intra- regional trade. Burundi
and Rwanda joined the FTA on 1st January 2004. These eleven FTA members have not
only eliminated customs tariffs but are working on the eventual elimination of
quantitative restrictions and other non-tariff barriers.
Customs Union
A Customs Union maybe defined as a merger of two or more customs territories
into a single customs territory, in which customs duties and other measures that
restrict trade are eliminated for substantially all trade between the merged
territories. The territories, in turn apply the same duties and measures in
their trade with third parties. In preparation for a Customs Union the Eleventh
Meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Cairo, Egypt adopted a Road Map that
outlined programmes and activities whose implementation was necessary before the
launching of the Union. It is expected that the launch will be achieved by the
year 2008
Trade promotion
Other objectives which will be met to assist in the achievement of trade
promotion include:
- Trade liberalisation and Customs co-operation, including the
introduction of a unified computerised Customs network across the region.
- Improving the administration of transport and communications to ease the
movement of goods services and people between the countries.
- Creating an enabling environment and legal framework which will
encourage the growth of the private sector, the establishment of a secure
investment environment, and the adoption of common sets of standards.
- The harmonisation of macro-economic and monetary policies throughout the
region.
Members: Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Djibouti, The State of Eritrea, The Transitional Government
of Ethiopia, Kenya, The Kingdom of Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius,
Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, The Somali Democratic Republic, Sudan,
Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
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