BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– The Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, today officiated a Parliamentarians three-day workshop that will see Eswatini optimally trade with the rest of Africa.
The Validation Workshop for Eswatini on the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACTFA) implementation seeks to create conditions for free flow of trade amongst themselves.
Khumalo said in this regard, the strategy underscored that for Eswatini to trade optimally with the rest of Africa, and that there was need to vigorously address and improve the supply side constraints, policy and regulatory measures and capabilities required for the country to take full advantage of national, regional and global markets within the context of the AfCFTA.
“The strategy also encapsulates the vision for Eswatini and strategic objectives born out of a robust situational analysis of Eswatini current production systems and trade patterns, as well as policy, regulatory and institutional framework and the instruments provided under the AfCFTA,” he said.
In addition, he said it proposes strategic actions that Eswatini can take, including legislative and policy reforms in order to address the potential obstacles, in particular non-tariffs barriers and other restrictive measures on intra-African trade.
“Other key areas considered in the strategy include issues on monitoring and evaluation, communication and visibility plan and funding. The strategy proposes the identification and review of potential sources of funding to support effective implementation and allocation,” said Khumalo.
The Minister in addition asked the national AfCFTA implementation committee and other established subcommittees to conduct their functions.
He said In line with the provisions of the AfCFTA Agreement, the strategy seeks to mainstream economic advancement of women and youth through deliberate interventions and actions, to enable them to take full responsibility for the opportunities of the Agreement and reap its benefits. “Particular focus is on provision of support to Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises owned by women and the youth. While Eswatini expects to benefit from the AfCFTA Agreement, such opportunities will not come automatically. It will require concerted efforts and commitment from all key national stakeholders including the Government,” said Khumalo.
