Seminar for ambassadors and representatives of international organizations on ARIA IV: enhancing Intra-African trade: remarks by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, United Nations Under-Secretary General and ECA Executive Secretary

Abstract

Remarks by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh at the Seminar for Ambassadors and Representatives of International Organizations on ARIA IV: Enhancing Intra African Trade. Mr. Janneh, on his remarks highlighted that, The imperative for regional integration in Africa is particularly strong due to the size, structure and low level of development of many of the economies of our continent. Free movement of people is taking root with some regional economic communities such as ECOWAS far advanced through the institution of a common ECOWAS passport. Barriers to trade are being dismantled through Free Trade Areas, and trade facilitation measures such as simplification of customs procedures and one-stop border posts. Low intra-African trade implies that many opportunities are lost for using trade within the continent to enhance the prospects for specialization among African countries and accelerated development and integration.