COMESA council adopts Covid-19 trade guideline

BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes THE Council of Ministers of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have adopted various guidelines to ensure continued trade amongst Member States during the Covid-19 period. The guidelines are aimed at facilitating a coordinated broad and effective regional response to the Covid-19 pandemic while avoiding disruptions to trade as a result of the pandemic. Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Public Relations Officer, Godfrida Chanda, said COMESA Member States would be expected to electronically publish any newly introduced trade and customs related measures in response to the pandemic.  Ms Chanda said in a statement that the Member States would be expected to electronically publish their lists of essential goods to facilitate the clearance of customs and border requirements. She explained that the adopted guidelines were aimed at ensuring continued flow of essential goods and services including but not limited to food and pharmaceutical supplies during lockdowns. “The guidelines aim at protecting citizens from the covid-19 Pandemic whilst at the same time safeguarding the existing trading arrangements in order to minimize the disruption to cross-border trade in goods and services. “They are also aimed at enhancing regional awareness on measures instituted against the COVID -19 pandemic by various authorities to stakeholders with regard to measures involving the movement of goods and services in the region,” Ms Chanda said. She said the guidelines were further aimed at advocating and supporting Member States’ health safety measures and efforts to   address closure of firms, jobs losses and make regional economies more resilient to any future crisis. Ms Chanda said the guidelines would play a key role in facilitating coordination and uniform application of measures across COMESA borders while ensuring public health safety and safe trade. “In light of the adverse impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on economic situation in Member States, which has impacted on capacity of Member States to pay their dues to the organisations, the Council of Ministers approved a 10 percent reduction of Member States contribution to COMESA Secretariat,” she said. COMESA Secretariat will work closely with Ministries of Health and National Task Forces on Covid-19 in the implementation of the guidelines. The Sun