Rwanda, Burundi to join COMESA free trade area next year

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, December 03, 2003

Rwanda, Burundi to join COMESA free trade area next year

Rwanda and Burundi will join the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Area (FTA) next year, COMESA Secretary General Erastus Mwencha said in Lusaka Tuesday.

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Rwanda and Burundi will join the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Area (FTA) next year, COMESA Secretary General Erastus Mwencha said in Lusaka Tuesday.

"We welcome and congratulate Rwanda and Burundi for their decision to join the FTA from Jan. 1, 2004," Mwencha told the 16thMeeting of the COMESA Council of Ministers.

The COMESA FTA, as the first free trade area in Africa, currently has nine members, namely, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mauritius, the Sudan, Kenya, Egypt, Madagascar and Kenya, and whenthe two countries join it, it will bring the total number to 11.

According to Mwencha, the joining of the two countries will consolidate the gains made so far by the FTA.

"I am encouraging other member states who have not yet joined the FTA to do so without any further delay in order for the regionto realize the full benefits of the FTA.

According to Mwencha, intra-COMESA trade has continued to increase with trade among FTA members having increased by 48 percent in 2002 as compared to 22 percent growth rate among non-FTA members over the same period.

The FTA, the secretary-general said, has contributed to a diversified product range in intra-COMESA trade as well as increased competition.

"These benefits are assisting member states to enhance competitiveness and to empower their citizens economically. The most important thing as regards the FTA is to consolidate its operations and to bring on board more member states," he said.

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