Download or read book The Impact of EU Free Trade Agreements on Economic Development and Regional Integration in Southern Africa written by Mareike Meyn and published by Peter Lang Gmbh, Internationaler Verlag Der Wissenschaften. This book was released on 2006 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: North-South Free Trade Agreements are supposed to improve African countries' access to competitive inputs and consumer goods, to assist in creating an enabling trading environment and to help to improve the competitiveness of domestic companies by involving them in international networks. Negative effects such as revenue losses and trade diversion are meant to be offset by safeguard measures, technical assistance, and economic growth. The effects of a free trade agreement between the EU and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries, especially relating to export performance, diversification efforts, industrialisation options and efforts for deeper regional integration, are the major questions the study addresses. In studying sector examples in the SACU countries for successful industrial policy, an investigation is undertaken of how a free trade agreement between the EU and the SACU countries affects domestic policies, economic performance and the position of sectors in the global value chain. The conclusion drawn is that free trade agreements concluded between the EU and southern African countries failed to be development-oriented. Subsequently, policy recommendations are made as to how EU policies towards southern Africa can take industrial development, export diversification and a move towards deeper regional integration better into account.
Download or read book Regional Trade Integration Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in Southern Africa written by M. Tekere and published by African Books Collective. This book was released on 2012 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite a long history of regional integration and a multiplicity of regional organizations in southern Africa, the effect of regional integration on economic growth and poverty reduction remains debatable or elusive. This causes many to doubt whether regional integration is in actual fact an effective poverty-reduction strategy. Accordingly, the focus of this book is to explore and analyze whether specific Southern African Development Community (SADC) trade integration policies, especially the trade liberalization regime, have produced economic growth and reduced poverty in the region. While it is generally agreed that economic growth is the panacea to poverty reduction, there is little evidence as to whether regional integration in Africa is associated with economic growth in the countries concerned and subsequently leads to poverty reduction. The book makes recommendations on how the SADC FTAs can contribute to poverty reduction and socioeconomic development, and goes on to suggest policy proposals on how to enhance the contribution of the FTAs to poverty eradication and economic development. It also identifies specific activities to be undertaken to enable supply-side and productive competitiveness interventions to support the FTAs and contribute to economic development. The potential constraints and negative impacts of the FTAs are investigated and highlighted, and possible solutions are recommended and motivated.
Download or read book African Regional Integration written by Norbert L. Bauer and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Beyond Market Access for Economic Development written by Gerrit Faber and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2009-06-17 with total page 440 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Economic Partnership Agreements between the European Union and the Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries have drastically restructured Europe’s trade architecture towards the third world. This volume examines the consequences of EPAs for development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Starting from the observation that the establishment of free trade as such will substantially impact upon economic development, the different contributions focus on the potential contribution of non-traditional aspects of EPAs. More specifically, the authors analyze the role of Aid for Trade schemes, regulatory integration issues and broader foreign policy considerations. How can these non-market access aspects stimulate development in Africa, and how have they been addressed in the EPAs? In short, this brings us to the question whether the ‘light version EPAs’ as they currently stand are a missed chance or a blessing in disguise?
Download or read book The Cotonou Agreement and Its Implications for the Regional Trade Agenda in Eastern and Southern Africa written by Manuel De la Rocha and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2003 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Subregional trade arrangements (RTAs) in Eastern and Southern Africa have proliferated in the past 10 to 15 years. The small size of most of the countries in the region, some of which are landlocked, and the security needs in the post independence period largely explain the rapid expansion. These arrangements are characterized by multiple and overlapping memberships, complex structures, and eventually, conflicting and confusing commitments. The influence of RTAs has been limited to assisting the region in increasing trade, attracting foreign direct investment, enhancing growth, and achieving convergence among member countries. But despite their limitations, RTAs have the potential, if properly designed and effectively implemented, to be an important instrument in integrating member countries into global markets. In 1998 most of the Southern African countries, as members of the Africa Caribbean Pacific group (ACP), signed the Cotonou Agreement with the European Union, which includes the negotiation of economic partnership agreements (EPAs) between the EU and the ACP. The Cotonou Agreement explicitly leaves to the ACP countries to decide the level and procedures of the EPA trade negotiations, taking into account the regional integration process. This raises the question of how to decide on the groupings in the context of conflicting regional trade agendas. The author argues that the Cotonou Agreement and EPA negotiations could become the external driving force that will push the regional organizations to rationalize and harmonize their regional trade arrangements, thus strengthening the integration process and economies of the region, and assisting the Eastern and Southern Africa region in becoming a more active partner in the global economy.
Download or read book Negotiating South South Regional Trade Agreements written by Gbadebo Odularu and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-01-26 with total page 166 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides a comprehensive analysis of South-South regional trade issues, with a particular focus on sustainably fostering Africa’s regional trade agenda. It examines the extent to which South-South regional trade agreements (RTAs) have contributed toward enhancing regional integration and economic expansion in Africa in particular, and in the South in general. The authors recommend new conceptual frameworks, appropriate initiatives, and workable policy recipes to help South-South RTAs enhance Africa’s economic transformation trajectory. The book underscores the geo-politics, as well as the opportunities and challenges that emerging economies now represent for Africa in the context of South-South regional trade policy. Readers will learn how Africa can strengthen its regional trade game by securing and building on the positive outcomes of South-South RTAs.
Download or read book Africa EU Relations and the African Continental Free Trade Area written by Leon Mwamba Tshimpaka and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2024 with total page 303 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book examines the establishment and implementation of the AfCFTA, which is the largest free trade area globally, covering 54 African countries. It explores how this initiative has the potential to reshape Africa-EU relations by promoting intra-African trade, economic integration, and diversification, as well as inter-regional trade. Both continents have potential to serve as global actors in reshaping the global order in ways that can affect how multilateralism foster inclusive development. However, whether this will happen would be a function of how the EU and AU define their interests and relationship. Leon Mwamba Tshimpaka is Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation (GovInn) and the SARChI Research Chair in the Political Economy of Migration in the SADC Region in the Department of Political Sciences of the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba is Assistant Professor at the Institute of African Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and Honorary Professor at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, University of South Africa, where he was previously an Associate Professor. .
Download or read book The Free Trade Area of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa written by Victor Murinde and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-05-15 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the last ten years, while GATT and (later) WTO were actively advocating the doctrine of free trade, the world witnessed unprecedented formation of regional trading blocs. Focusing on the prospects and challenges of the free trade area of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the question of regional trade integration, the book also combines in-depth theoretical and empirical analysis with leading edge discussion of institutional and policy issues from a variety of African economies. This text makes a timely contribution not only to our understanding of the prospects and challenges of regional trading arrangements in Africa but also to the paradigm of regional trade integration in developing countries. Systematically structured, with thematically linked chapters and rigorous referencing, it is an essential guide for an international audience of academics, researchers, students and practitioners in International Trade, International Economics, Development Finance and Development Economics.
Download or read book The EU SA Agreement written by Talitha Bertelsmann-Scott and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Trading on Development written by Rachel Houghton and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Regional Integration Trade and Industry in Africa written by Helmut Asche and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-06-14 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book examines the past, present and prospects of regional economic integration in Africa. The empirical analysis ranges from unions formed during the years following independence, to the proposed African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to remove trade barriers between all 55 African states. In addition, the book explores to what extent Africa’s Regional Economic Communities (RECs) have advanced in accordance with a linear integration model of goods, labor and capital markets. The book subsequently evaluates the suitability of the European model of deep integration with costly institutions for the conditions specific to Africa, considering, for example, the role of informal and non-recorded trade. Stylized cases of regional division of labour with increasing returns and imperfect competition are introduced to support the economic integration logic. Past and current economic policies in Africa are scrutinized to answer the question: how can African regions best foster new manufacturing industries and value chains across the continent? In conclusion, the book outlines content and processes of Common Industrial Policy in the African regions. The book also addresses the controversial issue of international trade agreements between developing countries and the European Union or the USA and investigates whether these agreements impede or promote economic development in Africa. The book includes a detailed roadmap describing how to improve key clauses of agreements for economic partnership in the interest of African countries. In closing, it outlines a new vision of joint sustainable development for Africa and Europe.
Download or read book Adopting a Harmonized Regional Approach to Customs Regulation for the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement written by Vimbai Lisa Michelle Jana and published by Anchor Academic Publishing. This book was released on 2017-09-19 with total page 111 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The three regional economic communities (RECs) in Eastern and Southern Africa are the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Together, they have recognised the need to work towards regional cooperation aimed at the eventual creation of a single regional economic community or Tripartite Free Trade Agreement (TFTA). This will replace the existent RECs in Eastern and Southern Africa to which the member states of these two regions have multiple membership. The TFTA region comprises a total of 27 member states which have a combined population of 527 million people and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of USD 624 billion. These statistics translate into a potential regional economic powerhouse for Eastern and Southern Africa. One of the major goals of the TFTA is to harmonise trade arrangements among the three RECs, improve the movement of goods and persons within the single integrated region, facilitate the joint implementation of regional infrastructure projects and enhance co-operation of member states. This is a laudable initiative by the member states of the three RECs and it is recognised that regional integration is the first step towards integration into a multilateral trading system. For the TFTA member states, it is crucial that there is an awareness to move towards a review of domestic customs legislation and policy and to develop regional, supranational legislation and regulations in order to gain a stronger competitive edge in the global market. This study shies away from proposing a „quick fix‟ or „instant benefit‟ to the harmonisation of TFTA member states customs legislative frameworks and policies and the development of a single automated, interoperable electronic customs system. Rather, it places its focus on long-term sustainable benefits which will be realised over time. The harmonisation of TFTA member state customs legislative policies and the resultant Information and Communications Technology (ICT) reforms to the customs processes of the TFTA member states, though not immediate or short-term, will strategically position the region to conduct business in an increasingly volume driven, fast paced, electronic global economy.
Download or read book Regional Integration and Economic Partnership Agreements written by Talitha Bertelsmann-Scott and published by Saiia. This book was released on 2006 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Based on conference proceedings, this book examines the dynamics of the European Union (EU) trade policy and the implications thereof for Southern Africa. The latter's problems with both political and economic integration are not new, but the process of negotiating Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the EU presents yet more challenges. The initiation of trade talks between the EU and the members of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries has brought to center-stage Southern Africa's problems of multiple and overlapping memberships of different regional organisations. Whereas many would argue that the EU should stand back and let the region try to solve its own regional integration problems before it engages, as a region, with external partners, others feel that the EPA process is breathing new life into the search for solutions to Southern Africa's regional integration conundrum. -- Publisher description (https://saiia.org.za).
Download or read book Assessing the Impact of the EU SA Free Trade Agreement on the Member States of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa COMESA written by and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Sustainable Development in Africa EU relations written by Mark Langan and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-10-05 with total page 283 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The European Union has been one of the most vocal advocates of ‘sustainable development’, particularly in its dealings with developing countries. Even prior to the formulation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the EU has insisted upon the need for sustainable approaches to poverty reduction and economic growth in the Global South. When examining EU relations with African countries as part of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group, however, it becomes clear that the translation of Europe’s sustainability discourse into practice is highly problematic. Notably, there are concerns that the EU’s free market approach to development – embodied in its EPA trade deals – is incompatible with genuine, pro-poor forms of sustainable growth. Moreover, the EU is often seen as a hegemonic actor whose trade and aid interventions in Africa often do more to perpetuate poverty than to ameliorate it. This book casts a critical light on Africa-EU relations with regards to the EU’s sustainability pledges. It does this through looking at an array of issues – not least trade, aid, the environment, and democratic institutions. In this vein, the book poses a challenge to EU trade and development discourse in the era of the UN SDGs. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue in Third World Thematics: A TWQ Journal.
Download or read book Gaining from Trade in Southern Africa written by C. Jenkins and published by Springer. This book was released on 2000-07-31 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Policy-makers in Southern Africa are increasingly convinced that regional trade liberalization can improve growth performance and stimulate development throughout the region. To succeed where previous attempts have failed, however, governments must address two key issues. The first of these is policy coordination - the broad range of domestic policies must be made compatible with the proposed trade reforms. The second is institution building - concerted attention must be devoted to strengthening weak institutions and infrastructure. The contributors are among the leading authorities on regional integration in Africa.
Download or read book Did you say free trade written by Berthelot jacques and published by Editions L'Harmattan. This book was released on 2018-09-21 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The headlong rush of the European Union (EU) in Free Trade Agreements reaches the paroxysm of absurdity when it imposes them on West Africa, whose per capita GDP is 21 times lower than its own. This Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) would make West Africa lose 76% of its customs revenue on its imports from the EU and lead to a sharp rise in unemployment due to the loss of competitiveness of its companies including the informal sectors.The latter will be worsened by the premature signing, with support from the EU, of the Continental Free Trade Area by 13 of 16 West African States, all this based on a number of untruths from the European Commission, as identified in this book.
