Southern Africa: SADC Seeks Common WTO Stand

6 July 2001
The Post (Lusaka)
By Chama Nsabika

SADC trade and industry ministers have met to discuss preparations for a co-ordinated position at the forthcoming World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial conference later in the year. The ministers stated the urgency to clearly define the Southern African Development Community (SADC) position on issues of interest to the region and in this regard, agreed to meet for a special session in South Africa some time this month.

The meeting, held on July 2 and chaired by Mozambique minister for industry and commerce Carlos Alberto Sampaio, also deliberated outstanding issues on negotiations on the SADC trade protocol. They reviewed the status and process on implementation of SADC industry and trade sector programmes and projects. According to a communiqué on the meeting, other main issues discussed related to rules of origin on wheat flour and products, textiles and clothing as well as general improvement on market access.

The ministers decided that a compromise option be reached through further consultations with stakeholders before a final decision on rules of origin for wheat flour and its products is made. As for textiles and clothing, the meeting agreed to implement the special market access arrangement between Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) and Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia (MMTZ). The arrangement provides for duty free quotas for MMTZ exports to SACU on a certain basis to be applied beginning August this year for a period of five years.

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