Preparations underway for second Africa Trade Forum

Preparations for the second Africa Trade Forum (ATF II) scheduled for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from September 24- 26 are underway.

A statement issued by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Information and Communication Service in Accra on Monday, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the Forum would be held on the theme: “Boosting Intra-African Trade and Establishing the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA)".

It is a joint initiative of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Forum (AFDB).

Mr. Alan Kyerematen, Head of Africa Trade Policy Forum at the ECA, said the forum was being organised against a backdrop of increasing commitments to boosting intra-African trade and establishing a CFTA.

“The outcome of ATF I held in 2011 provided substantive input into the preparations for the January 2012 African Union Summit of Heads of State and Governments meeting on the theme: "Boosting Intra-Africa Trade.”

Mr. Kyerematen said the summit formally endorsed a framework, road map and architecture for fast tracking the establishment of CFTA and an Action Plan for Boosting Intra-African Trade.

He said ATF II would review key challenges in implementing the agreed Action Plan on boosting intra-African trade and establishing the CFTA, and forge an implementing strategy in that regard.

The results of the January Summit were an important step made by the Heads of State and Governments, he said, adding the framework, road map and architecture specifically called upon ECA, AfDB and other relevant development partners to support the implementation of the Action Plan and the establishment of the CFTA.

Further, ECA, AUC and AfDB, as well as other relevant agencies have been requested to take appropriate measures including studies, technical support to the regional economic communities and sensitization of member states and partners, for the effective implementation of the CFTA road map.

“We have an ambitious programme of action for the development of trade in Africa to deliver on,” noted Mr. Kyerematen.

“ATF is therefore designated as one of the supporting structures and building blocks for the establishment of the CFTA.”

ATF is a platform for inclusive policy dialogue between various trade constituencies to deliberate and agree on common approaches and strategies for implementing the Action Plan on boosting intra-African trade and the establishment of the CFTA.

The Forum would agree on specific inputs into the African Ministerial Conference on Trade to be held later this year.

It is also expected to adopt a Strategic Implementation Framework for the Action Plan on boosting intra-Africa trade and establishment of the CFTA, and strengthen commitment by African member states and trade constituencies to building effective strategic partnerships for implementation.**