Mozambique: Western Policies Hindering Africa's Exports - President Chissano

30 June 2002
The Post (Lusaka)

PROTECIONIST tendencies by Western countries are hindering exports from Africa to developed world, said Mozambican President Joachim Chissano yesterday.

Opening the 38th International Trade Fair in Ndola, President Chissano said protectionist tendencies had negatively affected equitable international trade.

President Chissano said entrepreneurs in Africa were facing unfair competition because Western countries were protecting their industries.

He said instead of enhancing free trade, the tendencies have actually made it difficult for developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to achieve economic independence hence their continued reliance on aid. President Chissano said globalisation was a double edged sword which brought many challenges on developing countries.

President Chissano said economic integration between Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) was crucial for trade.

He said the region should take advantage of its abundant natural and human resources to build needed infrastructure and facilitate trade interaction. President Chissano urged SADC and COMESA countries to work together to meet the challenges brought by globalisation.

He said a lot of companies had exhibited at the fair but there was need to improve on the quality of their products. And trade fair chairman Tom Mtine said trade between Mozambique and Zambia had increased in the last two years. Meanwhile, President Levy Mwanawasa is today expected to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the invitation of that country's President Joseph Kabila.

President Mwanawasa is expected to attend DRC's 42nd independence celebrations. Other presidents expected to attend the celebration include South Africa's Thabo Mbeki and Belgium Prime Minister Louis Mitchelle.

The presidents will also take the opportunity to discuss the on-going conflict in the DRC. President Mwanawasa will be accompanied by local government minister Michael Mabenga, foreign affairs deputy minister Catherine Namugala and deputy sports minister Julian Chisupa.

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