FTA in Africa by January: SADC

SADC deputy executive Secretary, Joao Samuel Caholo said this in Lusaka yesterday during a media briefing to highlight the status of the regional integration.

Mr Caholo said most member countries had met the targets except for a few countries that were yet to agree on the SADC trade protocols as well as in the gazetting of tariff phase down.

The countries that had not yet acceded to SADC protocols and gazetting the tariff phase down were Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Most member countries, except for Malawi were implementing the protocol on trade and had already gazetted the 2007 tariff reductions.

Mr Caholo said Angola had already embarked on an exercise to revamp its customs tariffs system, which he said, would protect and contribute towards the growth of industry in that country. He said Angola would soon be submitting its tariffs for negotiations by the regional grouping.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) also has not yet acceded to the protocol on trade and has been requested to indicate its position regarding its participation in the protocol on trade.

Caholo also added that a draft SADC protocol on trade in services has already been approved to facilitate regional trade in services in the region. The draft will be submitted to ministers of Justice and attorney generals for clearance in preparations for presentation to council and summit for adoption and signature.

In the wake numerous economic and social problems that member countries faced individually, Mr Caholo said it was inappropriate for member countries to be working in isolation. In fact, recently, most member countries of the region have expressed such sentiments regarding acceleration of Africa-to-Africa trade. Trade within the region is expected to also deal with the existing problems of food insecurity, gender imbalances in decision-making positions and the effects of the deadly HIV/AIDS pandemic. 

Released on: 13 August 2007
Resource: www.allafrica.com