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COMESA

Common Market for East and Southern Africa


COMESA trade centre to open
Access to the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) will ease after opening of a trade centre in Kampala. Comesatradehub, an international export promotion company, will enable companies market and sell their products internationally.
FAO urges integration to boost prices in market
To thwart a deepening food crisis on the continent, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation is proposing the creation of a Free Trade Area (FTA) for Africa that will facilitate a seamless flow of strategic commodities across national borders while maintaining high profit margins.
Comesa ministers root for common policy
Comesa trade ministers are rooting for a crash programme to harmonise intra-regional policies before the December 2008 deadline of signing a joint Customs Union (CU).
’It’s Ok to Belong to More Trade Blocs’
The East African Community (EAC) in November 2007 signed interim agreements with the European Union (EU) after the December 31 expiry of the Cotonou arrangement that gave preferential treatment to Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries accessing the EU market. Peter Kaujju, spoke to Chungu Mwila, the director for investment promotion and private sector development at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Millers hassled as State ups sugar imports quota
Sugar sector players have finally agreed on a raft of radical proposals aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the ailing industry ahead of full liberalisation in 2012.
Southern Africa: African nations endorse plan to merge trade blocs
Trade ministers from Comesa have passed a resolution setting the stage for the establishment of what would be Africa’s largest common market. The ministers want trade regimes within the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) harmonised.
East Africa: Ministers propose bigger regional trading bloc
East Africa’s trade ministers have proposed the formation of a larger trading bloc to eliminate friction among states over deals signed with partners outside the continent. The proposal made at a meeting of the Trade ministers in Arusha last week calls for the formation of a grand Free Trade Area (FTA) consisting of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) and the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc).
Malawi: Caught between two economic blocs
Malawi finally has to face up to the dilemma of choosing between being a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) or to stick with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) if it is to continue receiving funding from the European Union.
Comesa censures EAC over trade deal with EU
East Africa’s signing of an interim trade pact with Europe has come under heavy criticism for dividing Africa as well as undermining the continent’s integration efforts. Interview with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Secretary-General Erastus Mwencha.
Govt turns to Comesa as tax threat looms in EU
Africa’s largest trade bloc may hold the future for Kenya’s growing exports sector that is facing an uncertain future in traditional markets such as Europe, latest trade data indicates.
Kenya: Govt should be cautious in free trade negotiations
To many sugarcane-dependent families in western Kenya, January 2008 will come with adverse consequences to livelihoods and life itself as Kenya joins more efficient sugar producers in the free market regimes of COMESA and EPA.
Comesa intensifying talks with EC on EPA rules of origin
With six months remaining for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) says it has intensified discussions with the European Commission (EC) on the rules of origin.
Free trade for Comesa members in offing
President Mwanawasa alongside other Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) heads of State endorsed Zambia’s commitment to the launch of the COMESA Customs Union (CU) by December 8 next year during the recently-held COMESA summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
Kibaki to visit Libya
As the latest entrant into the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Libya is a potential trade partner not only for Kenya but the COMESA regional economic bloc which Kenyan President Kibaki currently chairs
Business wants Comesa members penalised for blocking regional trade
The Business Forum has recommended the introduction of penalties to deter Comesa member states from blocking regional trade through non-tariff barriers.
SADC and Comesa move closer on trade deals
Three African trade blocs from southern and East Africa are moving closer to align and harmonise trade rules for increased integration, a conference resolved on Monday.
Join FTA, Comesa Urges Member States
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa has urged member states to join the Free Trade Area before the launch of the Customs Union in December to enable the region to fully achieve trade and customs growth.
Comesa can do more for Africa
The just concluded Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Heads of States Summit in Nairobi seemed to confirm the existence of an uneven playing field in global trade.
African leaders resolve to harmonize regional blocs
The leaders mandated Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki to convene a joint summit of COMESA, the South Africa Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) to discuss the harmonization of the cross-border trading system.
Africa’s largest trade bloc in final stages of forming customs union, says official
Africa’s largest trade bloc (COMESA) is in the final stages of setting up a customs union after completing work on tariffs to charge on goods imported from outside the group.