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The center's coordinator for CUTS International Africa West has instructed African countries to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to ensuring the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to Appiah Kusi Adomako, this is the only way that countries can fully exploit the results of the free trade agreement. AFCFTA is not limited to signing and rectification.
He was speaking in Niamey, Niger, on the sidelines of the African Union's Extraordinary Summit on AfCFTA on "Bring AfCAF to the people of Africa".
The Commission of the African Union, in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa, organized the first-ever Forum of the African Union. 2019 on "Strengthening Civil Society Engagement in AfCFTA to Broaden Inclusiveness" in Niamey, Niger.
In particular, the 2019 Civil Society Forum aimed to strengthen stakeholder participation in AfCFTA implementation and increase opportunities for civil society stakeholders to participate in the program of work. of AfCFTA.
The forum brought together participants from African civil society organizations (CSOs), trade coordination organizations for civil society organizations and members of the Economic and Social Council of the Union. African, among others.
Appiah Adomako said the majority of the population felt remote and disconnected from the continent in terms of consumption as nations do not trade with each other.
"Our inability to trade with each other was caused by inefficient business infrastructure and logistics, non-tariff barriers to trade, and reduced manufacturing capacity," he said.
He added that "with AfCFTA's signature and ratification, African countries must take advantage of the collective GDP of $ 2.5 billion, making it the 8th largest economy in the world by 1," he said. 2 billion markets and lift people out of poverty. This should encourage businessmen to take advantage of the Agreement and the investments needed to support economic growth and create jobs.
"While the text of the Agreement on Poverty Reduction and Trade-Related Crime has good intentions, the success of the agreement requires a strong commitment from governments and respect for the agreement. In the short term, there will be losers, but the short-term pain is needed to reach the long-term again. "
Mr. Adomako suggested that "as for the Trade Facilitation of the World Trade Organization, which requires the establishment of a National Committee for Trade Facilitation at the national level, it would be useful for countries to set up a National Council of ALECA and that its members be extended to CSOs, government agencies, private sector, universities and others. "
AUC Vice President Kwesi Quartey commended the Ministry of Trade and Industry for this initiative and noted that, if successfully implemented, "AfCFTA could generate combined costs of consumers and businesses by $ 6.7 trillion by 2030, and facilitate the creation of quality jobs for women and young people in Africa. "
Speaking on behalf of ECA Executive Secretary, Thokozile Ruzvidzo, Director of Gender, Poverty and Social Policy, said AfCFTA could move intra-African trade away from 16% to 52% by 2022, according to ECA studies.
She noted, however, that visa restrictions and other restrictions on immigration limited mobility in Africa and "increased the vulnerability of migrant and refugee populations to the continent".
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