Liberalisation of goods trade has enjoyed substantial advances in Southern Africa in recent years, notably through the SADC and COMESA free trade agreements (FTAs). Notwith-standing ongoing problems with rules of origin pertaining to tariff concessions, tariff rates have been reduced substantially and processes established to liberalize and/or harmonize services trade and associated regulations. Yet major obstacles to the actual conduct of trade remain. Both SADC and COMESA have recognised this and established processes to address non-tariff barriers (NTBs). Key to the success of those processes is identifying the most problematic NTBs, and establishing institutions to effectively deal with them.
In late 2006 SAIIA, supported by TIPS, initiated analysis of these issues through a pilot-study of South Africa-Zimbabwe trade via the Beit Bridge border post , the busiest border in Southern Africa. Join us to discuss the interim findings, and to discuss a proposed follow-up study based on the findings of this pilot research.
Organisers:The South African Institute of International Affairs, Business Unity South Africa and Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies
Programme:
| Chair | Stephen Hanival, TIPS |
| 10h30-10h45 | Welcome (Catherine Grant, BUSA) |
| 10h45-11h15 | Overview of the study and main findings (Gregory Mthembu-Salter) |
| 11h15-11h45 | Discussion |
| 11h45-12h00 | Presentation of ideas for follow-up study (Peter Draper, SAIIA) |
| 12h00-12h30 | Discussion |
| 12h30 | Closure |