[ad_1]
Addis Ababa, November 27, 2020 (ECA) – Customs experts from Africa have supported the adoption of continental guidelines to facilitate the free and timely flow of cross-border trade amid the COVID-19 pandemic ahead of the onset of trade within the African continent. Free Trade Zone (AfCFTA) on January 1, 2021.
They made the promise at a virtual meeting of the continent’s Directors General of Customs organized today by the African Union Commission (AUC), saying that solutions must be maintained and updated after the crisis.
The meeting noted that by magnifying Africa’s cross-border inefficiencies, the corona virus pandemic presented an opportunity to reinvigorate efforts to overcome long-standing trade facilitation challenges.
Introducing the guidelines, Mr. Stephen Karingi, ECA’s Director of Regional Integration and Trade, said they were designed to support REC cross-harmonization of the Covid-19 guidelines and advance the coordination and implementation of common guidelines. He said that they will be presented to all relevant AU subcommittees that cover customs, transportation and infrastructure, among others, for consideration towards their eventual adoption.
“The goal is to have the continental guidelines in force early next year to reinforce the start of operations under the AfCFTA,” he said.
The guidelines cover a number of new subsections to address specific gaps in existing rules, including the regulation of small-scale cross-border trade and cross-border trade by fishers, gender considerations and the treatment of essential workers, including transport and humanitarian workers.
In his own remarks, AUC Acting Director of Trade and Industry, Mr. Hussein Hassan, said the Commission partnered with CEPA and the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA- NEPAD) to develop continental guidelines on trade and transport facilitation. for the movement of people, goods and services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Once in effect, the continental guidelines are expected to ensure a harmonized approach to support smooth and secure trade amid the pandemic, including transit trade between CERs,” said Mr. Hassan.
The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, said that Covid-19 had a significant adverse influence on borders and customs operations, but that the WCO acted swiftly to address these challenges and provided customs administrations guidance on how to safeguard global supply. chains
