Symposium on WTO Trade Facilitation for African Countries AUs Action Plan for Fast Tracking the CFTA Nairobi, Kenya November 13-15, 2012

Outline Current Position Summit Decision Action Plan on Boosting Intra-African Trade Organogram of the Road Map Architecture of the CFTA High Level African Trade Committee Customs Technical Committee Trade Facilitation within the Continent

Current Position Africa remains at 2.7 % of global trade WTO, AGOA & EPA Intra- African trade 12.3%. Europe-Over 63%; Major trading Partners- Europe and USA Asia - China becoming more important; informal trade is significant 46% of intra African trade are manufactures Poor infrastructure, Trade facilitation Low industrial base, trade information, etc

Summit Decision 2012 Assembly Decision AU/Dec.394 (XVIII) Establish a Pan Africa Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) by an indicative date of 2017 Endorsed Action Plan for Boosting Intra-African Trade Addresses the fundamental issues, PIDA, AIDA, MIP Endorsed the Framework, Road Map and Architecture Negotiations, Governance, M&E Market Integration Develop a framework for conclusion of a draft agreement on Rules of Origin by December 2012 Calls on Partners to support implementation of; the Action Plan on Boosting Intra African Trade the Establishment of the CFTA

Action Plan on Boosting Intra African Trade Seven Clusters of the Action Plan 1.Trade Policy 2.Trade Facilitation 3.Productive Capacity 4.Trade Related Infrastructure 5.Trade Finance 6.Trade Information 7.Factor Market Integration Time Frames - ST,MT,LT

Organogram of the Road Map

TFTA by 2014 Similar Process to the tripartite (N-W-C) Join the tripartite Other MS outside FTAs to Join CFTA Neg Acquis –Reg FTA – No roll backs

Architecture For The CFTA CTC

African Trade Forum (ATF) Serve as Pan-African platform for reflection & discussions on progress & challenges Organized annually jointly by AUC & UNECA Participants are stakeholders in dvpt of intra- African Trade (Ms; Recs; pvt sector; civil society; researchers; academia; dvp partners etc) Outcomes presented to Conf of AU Ministers of Trade

High -Level African Trade Committee (HATC) Chairpersons of RECS (Heads of State and Government) Organ of the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments role of champions – for the acceleration of the CFTA – enhancement of intra-African Trade. Platform for exchange of experiences and best practices as Co-ordinating and harmonizing action towards the CFTA. Overseeing the effective implementation of the Action Plan Meets every Summit – Review implementation – make recommendations to the Summit.

Customs Technical Committee (CTC) Reports to & serve as the TC of the Conference of AU Ministers of Trade - Customs matters & any other issues relating to facilitation of Intra-African Trade Composed of ; National - Directors –General / Heads of Customs Administrations AU MS RECs/AUC - Directors/Heads of Customs Departments/Divisions

Customs Technical Committee (CTC) Functions develop and submit proposals to the Conference of AU Ministers of Trade on issues such as Rules of Origin, customs regulations and procedures, transit procedures, etc implement the decisions of the policy organs of the AU on the facilitation of intra-African trade.

Overview of Trade Facilitation A major factor in the low level of intra-African trade has been the numerous trade facilitation constraints. Removal of these constraints is critical to boosting trade among African countries. Reduction of all unnecessary roadblocks Harmonization & simplifying customs & transit procedures, documentation & regulations Establishment & operationalization of OSBPs Integrated Border Management

Thank You For Your Kind Attention