A step forward for free trade in the ECCAS sub-region

Abstract

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is launching a campaign to have all countries of the ECCAS sub-regional bloc operationalize the ECCAS Preferential Tariff (known for short in French as TP/CEEAC) – one of the instruments for easing trade in the zone. This is within the framework of the ECCAS Free Trade Area which should lead to the full integration of the countries of this zone into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – a market that promises to boost the economies of the countries of the entire continent. The first step in the process involves contributing to the establishment and operationalization of national committees responsible for examining applications for approval of made-in-Central-Africa finished products to be included in Preferential Tariff grid of the Community, in accordance with the clauses establishing the ECCAS Free Trade Area. The experts of both the Technical Secretariat and ECA reiterated the urgent need to consolidate the Central African Free Trade Area by carrying out all the actions mentioned above to enable the sub region fit comfortably into the AfFCTA. They decided to maintain frank collaboration through regular consultations to consolidate and advance the issues of sub-regional integration in Central Africa.