Preparations for the second African Trade Fair to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from the 24th to the 26th of September are underway. The trade fair will be held under the theme of ‘Boosting Intra-African and Establishing the Continental Free Trade Area’.
The trade forum is a collaborative effort between the African Union Commission, Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Forum.
The forum is being organized amidst increasing commitments to enhance Intra-African trade and establishing the Continental Free Trade area said Mr. Kyerematin, Head of the African Trade Policy Forum.
Results obtained at the first forum held in 2011 offered significant input into preparations for the January 2012 Summit of African Heads of State and Government meeting under the theme of ‘Boosting Intra African Trade’ he noted.The leaders endorsed a road map, a framework and the architecture for enabling the establishment of the CFTA and an action plan for enhancing trade within Africa said Kyerematin.
The second forum to be held later on this year will consider challenges associated with implementing the action plan for boosting Intra African trade and establishing the free trade area he added.
The January summit commissioned various bodies including the ECA the AfDB and AUC with conducting studies offering technical support for Regional Economic Communities increasing awareness in member states for the effective implementation of the road map.
ATF is intended to encourage policy dialogue between various trade constituencies to consider strategies and approaches for putting into action the plan to Boost Intra African Trade.
Source: Herald
