Gaitri Loke(39) Ajinkya Mahajan(41) Bhavika Nagar(47) Jeetendra Shinde(75) Pritima Singh(77) Shishir Tiwari(84)

COMESA was established 'as an organisation of free independent sovereign states which have agreed to co-operate in developing their natural and human resources for the good of all their people. The Treaty establishing COMESA was signed on 5th November 1993 in Kampala, Uganda and was ratified a year later in Lilongwe, Malawi on 8th December 1994.

Its main focus is on the formation of a large economic and trading unit that is capable of overcoming some of the barriers that are faced by individual states.

Significant and sustained increases in productivity in industry, manufacturing, processing and agro-industries to provide competitive goods as the basis for cross-border trade and to create more wealth, more jobs and more incomes for the people of the region. Increase agricultural production, with special emphasis on the joint development of lake and river basins so as to reduce dependence on rainfed agriculture and new programmes on food security at the provincial or district levels, national and regional levels.

Development of transport and communications infrastructures and services with special emphasis on linking the rural areas with the rest of the economy in each country as well as linking the member States. New programmes for trade promotion, trade expansion and trade facilitation especially geared to the private sector, so as to enable the business community to take maximum advantage of the Common Market.

Development of comprehensive, reliable and up to date information data bases covering all sectors of the economy including industry, energy, environment, agriculture transport, communications, investment and finance, trade, health and human resources to form the basis for sound investment decisions and macro-economic policy formulation and programming.

Equality and inter-independence of the member States. Solidarity and collective self-reliance among the member States. Inter-State co-operation, harmonisation of policies and integration of programmes among the member States. Non-aggression between the member States.

Recognition, promotion and protection of human and people's rights in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights. Accountability, economic justice and popular participation in development. The recognition and observance of the rule of law.

The promotion and sustenance of a democratic system of governance in each member State. The maintenance of regional peace and stability through the promotion and strengthening of good neighbourliness. The peaceful settlement of disputes among the member States, the active co-operation between neighbouring countries and the promotion of a peaceful environment as a pre-requisite for their economic development.

The aims and objectives of COMESA have been designed so as to remove the structural and institutional weaknesses in the member States by pooling their resources together in order to sustain their development efforts either individually or collectively.

To attain sustainable growth and development of the member States by promoting a more balanced and harmonious development of its production and marketing structures. To promote joint development in all fields of economic activity and the joint adoption of macro -economic policies and programmes; to raise the standard of living of its peoples, and to foster closer relations among its member States.

To co-operate in the creation of an enabling environment for foreign, cross-border and domestic investment, including the joint promotion of research and adaptation of science and technology for development. To co-operate in the promotion of peace, security and stability among the member States in order to enhance economic development in the region.

To co-operate in strengthening the relations between the Common Market and the rest of the world and the adoption of common positions in international forum. To contribute towards the establishment, progress and the realisation of the objectives of the African Economic Community.

Supply and Demand Surveys Buyers/ Sellers meetings Enterprise-specific assistance Trade Fairs and marketing missions Strengthening individual chambers of commerce Trade Information Network (TINET) Seminars on Doing Business in COMESA Analysis of production and investment opportunities

Zero tariffs on goods from COMESA Countries. Goods from non-COMESA dutiable at full national tariff rates. No NTBs on COMESA goods.

Application of COMESA Rules of Origin.

Objective:

To establish a monetary union so as to have a zone of monetary stability in order to facilitate the integration efforts:

Phased Monetary and Fiscal Policies Harmonisation Programme towards a common currency issued by a common central bank in 2025. Regional Payments System; Africa commerce exchange.

Up-dating of information on trade and investment laws in COMESA; Harmonising investment codes; Developing Investor Roadmaps Providing information on investment opportunities Developing and promoting COMESA as a Common Investment Area; Promoting development growth poles.

A. Air Transport Programme

(1) Liberalization of Air Transport Services

(2) Air Transport Facilitation (3) Safe Skies Programme (CNS/ATM System) B. Road Transport and Traffic Facilitation C. Telecommunications Interconnectivity

Intra-COMESA

trade has increased from US$ 734 Million in 1985 to US$ 5.5 billion in 2003; facilitation measures has cut transport costs by approximately 25%.

Transport

Supply/demand

surveys carried out, and buyer/seller meetings & trade fairs organised have generated transactions worth about US $ 1 billion

COMESA has re-defined its medium-term strategy as being the promotion of regional integration through trade and investment.

COMESA is now concentrating its efforts on consolidating and expanding the FTA and establishing a Customs Union, while accelerating investment promotion.