The mounting signs of a likely economic downturn or recession in traditional markets are one more reason to intensify the focus on intra-regional trade.
The Tripartite Free Trade Area (T-FTA) mooted between the Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is an exciting development that promises significant economic and social gains from deeper regional integration.
The mounting signs of a likely economic downturn or recession in traditional markets are one more reason to intensify the focus on intra-regional trade.
The Tripartite Free Trade Area (T-FTA) mooted between the Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is an exciting development that promises significant economic and social gains from deeper regional integration.

The Forum will focus on the private sector’s perspective on the role of the Tripartite integration process in overcoming obstacles to intra-regional trade in Southern and Eastern Africa. The private sector will have the opportunity to identify some of the issues and challenges that will need to be addressed by negotiators in developing a T-FTA architecture that is built on solid economic realities and supports private sector priorities.

The Forum will contribute to the proactive transmission of private sector views during the preparatory phase of the T-FTA negotiations. In addition, the Forum will better the understanding of the private sector on progress achieved to date towards the T-FTA and emerging issues. More...