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Company News of Friday, July 26, 2019
Source: ghananewsagency.org
2019-07-26
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The African Center for International Trade and Development (ACINTaD) on Wednesday called for the establishment of strong institutions and quality infrastructure for the successful implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area. African (AfCFTA).
Isaac Hubert Arthur, executive director of ACINTaD, said African countries needed to put structures in place to gain the necessary benefits from their participation in the continental free trade zone.
He explained that intangible and physical infrastructure such as national and regional policies, laws, systems, quality and quality road corridors, high-speed rail networks, ports and ports, as well as an efficient air transport.
Arthur made the remarks in a statement released by the GNA in Niamey, Niger, where he contributed to discussions at the AfCFTA's Civil Society Forum in 2019, a recent event on the sidelines of the Extraordinary Summit of African Union Heads of State.
The Forum was organized by the Commission of the African Union in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Coalition for Africa Dialogue, on the theme "Strengthening civil society engagement in CAFTA to broaden inclusivity.
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 and umbrella organizations on trade, labor, women and youth, members of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (ECOSOCC). African Union) and many others.
Mr. Arthur, who spoke at a panel discussion entitled "Bring AfCFTA closer to the African people", emphasized that the AfCFTA should benefit all Africans, from where the need to question the best ways and measures to ensure that all Africans are informed AfCFTA.
In his view, governments must use a holistic approach to involve all key stakeholders, including CSOs, academic institutions, businesses, especially SMEs, and relevant public sector organizations.
He said companies should play the role of advocacy, research, documentation and dissemination resources, as well as capacity building for the successful implementation of AfCFTA.
AUC Vice President Kwesi Quartey congratulated the Ministry of Trade and Industry on this initiative.
He noted that if AfCFTA was successfully implemented, it could generate $ 6.7 trillion by the year 2030, accelerate industrial development, expand economic diversification and facilitate the creation of new jobs. quality for Africans.
Ms. Thokozile Ruzvidzo, speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of ECA, Director of Gender, Poverty and Social Protection, stated that AfCFTA could channel intra-ACP trade. African 16% to 52% by 2022, according to UNECA. 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," the statement said.
The forum acknowledged the need for national policies to support the production and consumption of goods and services that will be identifiable as "made in Africa" using quality standards, he added.
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