1

COMESA weekly newsletter eThis bulletin is published by the COMESA Secretariat Corporate Communications Unit but does not necessarily represent views of the Secretariat. For Feedback: pr@comesa.int

Contact Address : COMESA SECRETARIAT, COMESA Center , Ben Bella Road P.O. Box 30051, +260 211 229 725, +260 211 225 107

www.comesa.int; email: e-COMESA@comesa.int

Issue #: 512_ 27th March 2017

AU HQ: Venue of the 18th COMESA Summit

Formulation of trade facilitation programme under an 85m euros EU fund complete

Trade Facilitation Agreement; coordinated border management and trade and transport facilitation along selected corridors and border posts; implementation of harmonized, science based Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary (SPS) and Technical Standards; and trade in services, free movement of persons and trade negotiations / promotion.

A study that was commissioned to provide more information on the identified projects was presented to representatives from Member States for validation in a consultative process that involved COMESA and the European Union. The validation of the study report now paves way for the conclusion of the financing agreement by COMESA and the EU in readiness for launching the implementation of the project from 2018.

Speaking at the workshop, Secretary General Mr. Sindiso Ngwenya stressed the need to address the high cost of transporting goods in the region and thereby enhancing the competitiveness of firms in the region especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

He said COMESA was preparing to publish its own Ease of Doing Business Report and Competitiveness Report in the near future in line with its guiding principles of “a learning, a knowledge and an innovative organization.”

Head of Regional Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Zambia, Mr Matteo Sirtori, informed the workshop that a study on cross border trade was ongoing aimed at fine tuning the activities previously defined in the Action document which was approved by the EU in 2016.

“It is important that Member States provide input at the design phase and ensure that they are prepared to implement these activities,” he said.

Going forward, Member States are expected to mobilize their line Ministries and other stakeholders as the implementation will take place at national level by national authorities while COMESA will take the lead in coordinating.

The project is in line with the COMESA Transport policy which provides a framework for the development of national policies which enhance the regional agenda. It aims at providing for seamless regional physical connectivity and the smooth facilitation in the provision of transport services that are not impended by regulatory, licensing, administrative and operational bottlenecks to cross border and transit transport services.

Burundi, Comoros, Congo DR, Djibouti, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe participated in the workshop.

Mr. Sindiso Ngwenya, Ms Rajaonarisoa Andrianina, Director of International Relations and Economic Integration, Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Madagascar) Ms. Niyonzima Marie Ange, Advisor, Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Tourism (Burundi)

The formulation of projects under the COMESA trade facilitation programme to be financed

under the 11th European Development Fund has been finalized. This follows the conclusion of a two day regional workshop in Lusaka for Member States to validate the identified projects.

The programme has an allocation of 53 million Euros out of a total of 85 million Euros provided by the European Union in support of COMESA regional integration programmes.

The overarching goal of the trade facilitation programme is to make trade transactions easier, quicker, more efficient and less costly, thereby enhancing trade flows in the identified transport corridors.

This is by increasing intra-regional trade flows of goods, persons and services by reducing the costs/delays of imports/exports at specific border posts.

Activities under the trade facilitating programme will include; monitoring and resolution of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs); implementation of the WTO

2

COMESA weekly newslettere

COMESA was among five public organization and agencies that participated in activities in

Lusaka, Zambia organized to mark 60 years since the signing of the Treaty of Rome that launched the European Union. The Embassy of Italy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Zambia, the EU Delegation to Zambia, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Latitude Hotels and COMESA jointly organized a public debate where issues of regionalism were discussed.

The main highlight of the debate was whether the EU was still a model for Africa’s regional integration.

Panellists that included Hon. Cecile Kyenge, a Member of the EU Parliament and former Minister in Italy, were in agreement that peace, democracy and economic growth were the greatest dividends that the union had brought forth to Europe.

The EU @60: COMESA joins the celebration

Ambassador Kipyego Cheluget (3rd) and other panelist at the EU anniversary debate

Hon. Felix Mutati (2nd left) and EU Ambassadors

Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Kipyego Cheluget, who represented COMESA in the panel, said the regional bloc had benefited immensely from the EU model from the design of the COMESA Treaty, the development of trade facilitation

instruments and institutions among others.

“In particular, the free movement of people that the EU has attained is an inspiration to the COMESA region that our efforts towards a similar goal is achievable,” Amb. Cheluget said noting that an increasing number of our member States have relaxed visa controls and opening up to the citizens from the region.

By using information technologies, Amb. Cheluget observed that COMESA and other regional economic communities could leapfrog the challenges faced by the EU and attain faster integration. He congratulated the EU for the milestones it has achieved in its 60 years history.

The EU is the largest contributor to COMESA regional integration programmes with the current allocation under the 11th European Union Development Fund totalling 85 million Euros.

The Zambian Minister of Finance Hon. Felix Mutati, who participated in the discussions urged for enhanced intra-African trade noting that intra-regional trade was quite low compared with international trade.

The two hour debate was held at Latitude 15 Hotel in Lusaka. Other panellists were Ms. Roseta Chabala, President of the Zambia Association of Manufacturers, the Executive Director of NGO Cordinating Council Ms Engwase Mwale and Director, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Ms. Lillian Bwalya.

The EU ambassadors accredited to Zambia attended the event.

3

COMESA weekly newsletter eto page 4

developed simple and flexible Rules of Origin as well as a dynamic system for elimination of non-tariff barriers.

The Director described the Mauritius – Zambia initiative as a mutually supportive economic engagement which will assist in jobs and wealth creation, and therefore peace and prosperity through increasing trade and investment.“Mauritius is increasingly pivoting its commercial

The application of modern biotechnology could be one possible option in addressing the multi-

faceted development challenges facing agriculture in the COMESA region, Assistant Secretary General of COMESA, Ambassador Dr Kipyego Cheluget has said.

Addressing Zambian Ministers and Members of Parliament in Lusaka, Thursday 23 March 2017, Amb Cheluget however observed that

diplomacy into Africa and vigorously seeking business opportunities while Zambia has for some time now prioritized diversification of the economy and of export markets away from copper,” Dr Mangeni said.

Enterprise Mauritius Manager Dr Honita Cowaloosur expressed hope that the Zambia-Mauritius buyers-sellers meeting would spur bilateral trade.

Enterprise Mauritius, the national agency responsible for promoting and developing the

local exports sector last week organized a two day buyers-sellers meeting in Lusaka. The objective of the meeting was to link the Mauritius business community with their Zambian counterparts.Eight entrepreneurs from Mauritius participated in the meeting and a trade exhibition hosted as part of the trade initiative from 23 to 24 March 2017.

The Mauritius-Zambia buyers-sellers meeting offered a rare platform for local businesses to obtain new deals and further increase export and trade with Mauritius in different industry sectors.

Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Mrs Margaret Mwanakatwe said the initiative will spur trade between the two countries which has in the past three years recorded a negative trend. “As a government, we will continue to uphold our commitment towards regional and continental integration in order to achieve a sustainable, diversified and competitive domestic and export-led economy,” the Minister said in a statement presented by the Director of Cooperatives Mr Shadreck Mungala.

The major exports to Mauritius from Zambia are agriculture products dominated by raw cane sugar. Zambia imports include medium oils, crude soya bean oils and chemicals among others.

The Minister said the Zambian government has been providing targeted incentives in designated areas such as multi-facility economic zones, rural areas and in priority sectors to attract investment promote growth in the manufacturing sector.Speaking at the same function, Director of Trade and Customs at COMESA Secretariat Dr Francis Mangeni urged the two Member States to fully utilize the COMESA rule-based Free Trade Area, trade facilitation programs, industrial and infrastructure programs as well as the financial institutions.

“There are several instruments for trade facilitation such as the single administrative document, customs document, automated system for customs data, yellow card, regional customs bond guarantee scheme, carriers license all of which can be used to boost trade,” he assured the business people.

He said COMESA has prioritized trade facilitation,

Mauritius, Zambia hold a buyers and sellers meeting

biotechnology in agriculture was surrounded by controversies despite being the most important in terms of GDP contribution, employment and foreign exchange earnings in the region.

“COMESA is cognizant of the controversies and sensitivities surrounding the GMO’s but what is important is to take advantage of biotechnology on a case-by-case basis without compromising

Sensitizing lawmakers on modern biotechnology

Dr Francis Mangeni (R) and other guests at the Mauritius-Zambia Forum

Manisa Company of Mauritius showcasing their leather products

4

COMESA weekly newslettere

In COMESA, member States are at different stages in biotechnology policy choices and capacity. Sudan is at the commercial release level while Kenya, Malawi, Ethiopia, Egypt, Swaziland and Uganda are at the product testing trials.

The Zambian Minister of Higher Education and Technology Prof Nkandu Luo who opened the workshop urged local scientists to revitalise research and put science on top of the national agenda.

The Minister stressed the need to enhance communication on biotechnology not only to enable good implementation but also garner support from policy makers. She observed that stakeholders in Zambia had exhibited limited knowledge on biosafety and biotechnology issues.

“Issues of GMOs remain contentious and misunderstood and therefore my Ministry, through the National Biosafety Authority has taken up this initiative to create awareness for the nation to have a new perspective and revisit its existing biotechnology and biosafety policy,” the Minister said.

biosafety and focus on improving the livelihoods of the majority of small-scale farmers,” Amb. Cheluget told the lawmakers who were participating in an awareness workshop on biosafety and biotechnology.

The objective of the workshop was to provide accurate and balanced information about biosafety and biotechnology and share empirical experiences from African countries that have adopted agricultural biotechnology.

He observed that cultivation of GM crops has reached 188 million ha in 28 countries globally, including those in Africa and in the region. This is after more than 20 years since the advent of GM crops on the global scene.

Madagascar has adopted the livestock policy to improve competitiveness of local animal

products on the international market. A committee of 40 stakeholders working in the livestock sector in Madagascar participated in the adoption of the policy during a two day workshop on 22 – 23rd March 2017 in Antananarivo.

The stakeholders also reviewed the results of a value chain analysis which was recently conducted on the livestock policy identifying its strengths and weaknesses.The workshop was organized by COMESA Secretariat through the VET-GOV Programme working with the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).

She expressed optimism that the sensitization of the parliamentarians though experience- sharing from other COMESA member States would help them to make the right policy decisions on the way forward for GM crops in Zambia.

The Minister paid tribute to COMESA-ACTESA and NEPAD/ABNE (African Biosafety Network of Expertise) for their support to the NBA and Zambia.

Dr. Paul Zambezi, the Chairperson of the Zambia National Biosafety Authority, said his organization will promote safe application and use of biotechnology in national development to ensure safety for human and animal health as well as safety of the environment. This would be done through a rigorous risk assessment process.

Ministers and Members of Parliament of Zambia at the biotechnology awareness workshop

In addition to validating and consensually adopting the policy, a presentation on the results of the value chain analysis and the main recommendations was made. Participants discussed the way forward before finalising and submitting the documents to the government for endorsement.

The Director of AU-IBAR Prof. Ahmed Elsawalhy said that Madagascar was now in a position to map the way forward and implement policies that would boost the livestock sector in the coming years.

“Through this gathering, the identified strengths and weaknesses in each value chain and in the policy will be further discussed and turned into programmes for the effective development of livestock in Madagascar,” Prof. Elsawalhy said

through his representative Dr Hiver Boussini The workshop was opened by the Secretary General in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Mr Pierrot Randrianaritiana. He commended COMESA Secretariat and AU/IBAR for their support in helping Madagascar have a well prepared livestock policy.

Mr Randrianaritiana added: “This gathering is timely and it will help us make our country penetrate the Indian Ocean and Southern African markets in supplying livestock products. The potential is there, but it requires a clear policy, a proactive strategy and a well-crafted action plan.”The workshop brought together the national livestock policy hub members and other stakeholders.

Madagascar validates Livestock Policy