BuaNews (Tshwane)
23 June 2009
Nairobi — Africa's regional trading blocs have developed a new strategic partnership to boost the continent's exports.
The three of Africa's regional economic communities, Common Market of East and Southern Africa (COMESA), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS), have forged a new strategic partnership with the Geneva-based International Trade Centre (ITC) to boost the ability of African firms to compete in global markets.
Kenyan Trade Permanent Secretary Cyrus Njiru said on Monday that one of the objectives of the Program for Building African Capacity (PACT II) is to provide support to regional and national institutions so as to enhance export competitiveness and market linkages for Small and Medium Enterprises in high potential sectors.
"It is from this perspective that I consider this event crucial for laying the foundation for the successful implementation of the activities associated with this program," the Permanent Secretary said in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Chief Economist at the Ministry, Richard Sindiga.
The new venture will be launched this week by the three communities at a series of events starting with the COMESA in Nairobi on Monday.
The continent's share of world trade has fallen to around three percent from four percent in the 1970s.
The dramatic contraction in global and regional trade as a result of the current international financial crisis makes regional cooperation and integration on trade even more important.
Funded by the Canadian International Development Agency, the 20 million Canadian dollars ($17.3 million) PACT will offer a springboard for exporters by developing trade information networks, strengthening cooperation between trade support institutions, such as chambers of commerce.
The PACT program, which runs until 2012, aims to involve and support the private sector and develop its capacity to trade by enhancing public-private partnerships, fostering a better understanding of export markets, strengthening regional supply chains and encouraging moves to improve the quality of goods.
It will give particular emphasis to sectors offering high growth potential in Africa.
The 42 countries comprising the three African communities have done much to integrate their economies, establish free trade areas and harmonising tariffs, but this progress has yet to yield significant dividends in terms of greater trade flows both between them and with other regions and countries.
"ITC will partner with the regional economic communities (REC) to foster stronger and deeper trade integration, which is ultimately aimed at raising living standards and meeting the Millennium Development Goals," said ITC Executive Director Patricia Francis.
"Building the capacity of RECs to respond to private sector needs in trade development is the primary aim of PACT II. This is the focus of the new program," she added.
The ECCAS will present the project at a meeting of senior officials in Libreville on 1 to 2 July, with the ECOWAS having its high-level launch in Abuja on 8 to 9 July.
ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organisation and the UN, with a mandate to help businesses in developing countries become more competitive in global markets in order to speed economic progress and meet the UN's development goals. - BuaNews-Xinhua
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THEY COME TO :
STEAL OUR ECONOMY
KILL OUR INITIATIVE TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT
DESTROY OUR FAMILIES
1) INFERIORITY = CURRENCY EXCHANGE
Currency Exchange is designed to puff up certain peoples and nations over others. The numbers are constantly telling some that they are inferior to others. The problem intensifies when those being manipulated by this financial scam buy in to this wicked scheme.
What’s the solution to INFERIORITY CURRENCY EXCHANGE ? Stop giving away our souls one piece of money ( dollar , pound, franc, rand, deniro, rupal, euro, Chinese renminbi, rupee, Russian ruble,etc..) at-a-time .
Do research on what price your product gets in the so-called First World countries. And demand that price. This will not work unless people at the local areas do this together. Form Co-Ops and agree to charge the prices you deserve.
2) INFERIORITY = Pay by Time
There is another system used to oppress people that feeds the business owners with a lust for MORE profit. One year they may have profits of 50%, the next year they may have profits of 100%, the next year their profits may only be 75%. The system in the world will consider that going from 100% profits to 75% profits is bad for business.
How is that bad ? Profits are profits ! Many businesses have different levels of pay for the same workers.; levels such as :
a) Top Salaries – Private and only known to each individual workers b) Medium Salaries – Private “ “ “ “ c) Lower Salaries – Private and only known to each individual workers d) High Hourly Wages e) Medium Hourly Wages f) Minimum Hourly Wages
I suggest that EVERY WORKER SHOULD BE PAID A LIVING WAGE. The Minimum Wage is like a financial ball and chain ; only giving those receiving it just enough to live to see the next day.
The Living Wage allows workers to live, invest, spend, save, and thrive. We can dream about having our own businesses , then wake up and attain our dreams. This is great for the businesses that pay Living Wages. For this creates new customers and new generations of customers.
As long as the system of Living Wages is in place, there will be a thriving economy and a blooming world full of optimistic activities. But it will only happen when business owners see the benefit of paying more pennies to make more dollars ! Which of you business owners will have the insight, recognition, roots, understanding, initiative, moxy, & compassion to make the step most are afraid to make.
[This inspiring poem was featuring in the movie “Coach Carter ”]
Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate, Our Deepest Fear Is That We Are Powerful Beyond Measure. It Is Our Light , Not Our Darkness That Most Frightens Us.
We Ask Ourselves, Who Am I To Be Brilliant, Gorgeous, Talented, And Fabulous ?
Actually Who Are We Not To Be ? You Are A Child Of God.
Your Playing Small Doesn’t Serve The World.
There Is Nothing Enlightened About Shrinking So That Other People Won’t Feel Insecure Around You.
We Are All Meant To Shine, As Children Do.
We Were Born To Make Manifest The Glory Of God That Is Within Us.
It’s Not Just In Some Of Us; It’s In Everyone.
And When We Let Our Own Light Shine We Unconsciously Give Other People Permission To Do The Same.
And As We Are Liberated From Our Own Fear, Our Presence Automatically Liberates Others
- Marianne Williamson -
[NOTE – BEING AFRAID AND REFUSING TO GET INVOLVED WON’T STOP US FROM DYING. BUT BEING AFRAID CAN PREVENT US FROM LIVING]
(Nkosi Sikeleli Africa )
God bless Africa May her glory be lifted high Hear our petitions .
God bless us, Your children God we ask You to protect our nation Intervene and end all conflicts Protect us, protect our nation, our nation.
From the blue of our heaven, From the depths of our sea, Over our eternal mountain ranges, Where the cliffs give answer.
Sounds the call to come together, And united we shall stand, Let us live and strive for freedom, In South Africa our land.
[Enoch Mankayi Sontonga]
WAKE UP !!! STAY UP !!!
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com] / [http://alexjonesringtones.net/] Life Is A Game. Have Fun . Luke 18:17 - Isaiah 11:6