Failure to implement hampers regional integration
Isaac Pinielo | Friday July 8, 2016 15:26
The 15-point action matrix focuses on the review of rules of origin, completion of tariff phase downs, removal of non-tariff barriers, and facilitation or development of a mechanism to assist those member states that are not yet in the Free Trade Area (FTA) to participate therein.
At the 28th meeting of the committee of ministers of trade, Seretse said SADC ministers of trade continue to be confronted and meeting over the same issues, with very little progress made in resolving them.
“This is becoming a concern as some of the issues that continue unresolved on our agenda, can, with a high level of commitment, and in the spirit of give and take, be easily resolved to the benefit of all parties concerned,” he said.
He noted that the issues such as failure to implement or finalise implementation of tariff commitments by some of the committee members, failure to finalise the review of SADC rules of origin, particularly for some of the key products in the region such as textiles and clothing, and continuous introduction of non-tariff barriers within the trading regime, not only negatively affect any efforts made to create a conducive trading environment in order to increase intra-SADC trade in the region, but also continue to undermine the credibility of the SADC free-trade area.
Seretse indicated that the ministerial task force on regional economic integration observed that there was need to consolidate the SADC free-trade area and make it more effective for SADC to progress its integration agenda beyond the FTA.
“It is in this regard that a 15-point action matrix was agreed upon. It should be noted that there is little progress made on the above priority areas and this hampers deeper regional integration,” he said.
He further said in 2014, committee of ministers approved a comprehensive monitoring, reporting and evaluation mechanism for the protocol on trade.
He urged the Secretariat to spare no effort in keeping regular checks on all implementation aspects and to report progress or a lack thereof.
Where necessary, we should explore as ministers, what programmes could be put in place to support those members that need to be assisted to meet their obligations towards the trade protocol.
According to Seretse, the need to finalise the trade in services negotiations has become paramount in view of SADC’s efforts to industrialise as a region.
“We all know that access to cheaper services inputs is a key factor in building competitiveness of our industrial sector,” he said.
He said the sooner these negotiations are completed and the protocol on trade in services operationalised, the better chance committee of ministers stand to inject the necessary impetus to SADC entrepreneurship and industrialisation.