Africa trade centre = centre Africain du commerce: trade opportunities = propositions d'affaires

Abstract

The First Regional Symposium on African State Trading Organizations (STOs) was jointly organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The International Association of State Tradin8 Organizations of Developing Countries (ASTRO) and the Ethiopian Import/Export Corporation (ETMEX). The State Trading Organizations (STOs) in general and African countries in particular have a significant and constructive role to play in the economic and trade development process of their respective countries. Most of the STOs in developing countries of Africa were set-up following their independence either to take over their existing foreign-owned trading operations or to provide state owned institutional mechanism to enhance commodity trade procure from abroad and distribute essential goods and equipment in accordance with their national development plans.