ECA Urges Countries to Cut High Cost of Trading to Grow Share of Global Business

16 September 2013
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United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Addis Ababa)
press release

Addis Ababa — African countries need to lower the cost of trading on the continent in order to increase their share of global market, said the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

The Commission's Director of Regional Integration and Trade Division, made the appeal at the third International Single Window Conference in Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital. He said red tape and other disproportionally high transaction costs make African firms uncompetitive against their peers in other continents.

"In 2012, the average African exporter took a week longer to export a standard container and paid $404 more" compared to their competitors, he said. "The same held true with regards to import: importing to Africa required on average a week longer and costs as much as $668 more."

The ECA through the African Trade Policy Centre is carrying out a study on trade facilitation issues with a view to informing Africa's position on the proposed Trade Facilitation Agreement at the World Trade Organization.

"More than ever, decisive action to cut trade costs represents a key policy priority which could significantly boost global trade, thereby helping the global economy to set in on a strong recovery path," said the UN official.

The conference provides an opportunity for the organizers to inform African experts of various initiatives undertaken at national and regional levels. It is also an occasion for stock taking and

reflection on how to enhance the support provided by development partners and donors to respond to the challenges faced by African countries in the 21st century.

Also speaking, Geremew Ayalew, Director General, Trade Relations and Negotiation Directorate General of Ethiopia's Ministry of Trade, said the forum had come at a time when the continent is looking for ways of deepening the services trade agenda.

In his own comment, UNCTAD's International Trade and Commodities Division, representative said the body would be assisting regulators and governments in creating opportunities for the service sector.

Issued by:

ECA External Communications and Media Relations Section

PO Box 3001

Addis Ababa

Ethiopia

Tel: +251 11 551 5826

E-mail: ecainfo[at]uneca[dot]org

www.uneca.org

Read the original article on UNECA.

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