TradeMark Southern Africa

At a meeting between the COMESA and SADC Secretariats in Lusaka on 7 March 2011, liberilisation of Trade in Service was once again highlighted as a vital aspect of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA). The meeting considered progress made by COMESA and SADC and concluded that there was a need to work together at a tripartite level to fast track liberalisation of trade in service – especially in priority sectors identified by COMESA, EAC and SADC. The meeting agreed to prepare a status report on the implementation of Regional Trade in Service Liberilisation Programmes, as well as best practice case studies. These studies will inform strategies for cooperation and collaboration in those service sectors where the three Regional Economic Communities (RECs) have a common agenda.