Commonwealth Consultation on Multi-Lateral, Regional and Emerging Trade Issues for Africa
November 20, 2018
Over 45 delegates from 19 capital-based Ministry officials drawn from Commonwealth Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries and two (2) African Ambassadors to the WTO based in Geneva met at the Savoy Hotel, Beau-Vallon for the Commonwealth Regional Consultation on Multilateral, Regional and Emerging Trade Issues for Africa. Participating countries included;
Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Libya, Mauritius Sierra Leonne and Uganda. There were also participation of trade experts who talked about specific technical issues as well representatives from the following Regional Economic Communities;
- African Union Commission
- Common Market for Eastern & Southern Africa (COMESA)
- East African Community (EAC)
- Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
- Southern African Development Community (SADC)
The objective of the meeting was to enable policy-makers from the region to assess the policy implications and potential effects of emerging multilateral and regional trade-related issues on their trade interests. The aim was to create an opportunity to explore possible policy responses and strategies, as well as identify key advocacy messages and common interests on these issues.
In his opening address, Minister Lalanne, spoke of the vital role played by the Commonwealth in providing assistance in trade-related issues through technical support and capacity building. Minister Lalanne also highlighted that global trade landscape has evolved tremendously in the last decade, as has been the case also in many developing countries and small island states. “Therefore, enhancing services trade remains significant as it certainly contributes to expanding output, creating jobs, improving services standard and increasing efficiency as more businesses enter the market. Furthermore, it may increase competition, bringing about better skilled workers, new technologies and increasing investment capital within the economy, “says Minister Lalanne.
Minister Lalanne pointed out that whilst, we must consider introducing regulatory frameworks within the various services sectors in order to maintain service standards, and to protect consumers and the environment, there is a need to ensure that we do not introduce measures, that may deter investment, as improving the ease of doing business in Africa should remain a priority, particularly for developing countries. “We should therefore focus on creating an attractive, well-regulated business environment which is optimum for investors,” says Minister Lalanne.
The need to continuously work towards improving and developing internet infrastructure, and related framework, development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and the need for adequate measures to be put in place to ease access to markets for MSME products and services across Africa, vulnerability of developing states to external shocks, were also some main issues pointed out by the Minister in his remarks.
For the two days, participants discussed different issues and presentations, such as; World Trade Organisation issues of interest to African countries, Harnessing Trade Opportunities for Africa, E-Commerce discussions and the Development Dimension for African countries and implications and services facilitation for Africa amongst others.