Top > Regional Affairs > Africa > TICAD > Illustrative List Of Ongoing and Pipeline Projects/Programs For African Development As a Reference Document for TICAD II > II. Economic Development : Promoting Private Sector (2.1 Private Sector Development) > Simplification, streamlining liberalization and harmonisation of the COMESA Rules of Origin

Simplification, Streamlining, Liberalization and Harmonization of the COMESA Rules of Origin
Project / Program Summary (USAID)

I. Basic data

Sector(s): Trade and Customs Co-operation
Title: Simplification, streamlining liberalization and harmonisation of the COMESA Rules of Origin
Donor country / organization: USAID
Other donors / organizations involved:
Beneficiary countries / regions: The Business Communities of the member States of:
  • The Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
  • The Southern African Development Community (SADC)
  • The East African Community (EAC)
  • The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)
  • The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
Implementing agencies in beneficiary countries / regions: Ministries of Trade and Industry
Ministries of Finance and Customs Administration
Manufacturers Associations / Confederation of Industries
Chambers of Commerce and Industries
The relevant sub-regional organisations stated above
Duration: 2 years
Starting Date: October,1998
Project / Program budget: USD 600,000
Finance / Type of cooperation: Grant and technical cooperation

II. Project / program description

  1. Objectives
    The objective of the project is to simplify, streamline and liberalise the COMESA Rules of Origin and ensure compliance with the Guidelines of the World Customs Organisation and WTO Guidelines on the Rules of Origin. It is also to harmonise the rules of origin of COMESA and SADC so as to increase products originating from the region to qualify for COMESA Preferential Tariffs thereby enabling industries to increase production in the region and promote new investments in industry.
  2. Activities / contents
    The activities to be undertake include:
    • A study of the structure and qualification criteria of the existing COMESA Rules of Origin and that of SADC in order to identify weaknesses and or complexities where improvements and simplifications or streamlining can be made.
    • A study of the COMESA and SADC Rules of Origin taking into account the WCO/WTO guidelines on Rules of Origin.
    • A study of the effectiveness or otherwise of the COMESA Rules of Origin and the extent to which it has promoted or constrained intra COMESA Trade. Identify beneficiary industries and those with potential to benefit and identify problems and constraints in the administration and utilisation of the COMESA Rules of Origin.
    • Organise workshops to train business communities and administrators of the rules how to use and apply the rules as well as their smooth administration.
    • Review the COMESA manual of guidelines on the use and administration of the Rules of Origin.
  3. Expected outcomes / impacts
    The expected impact of this project is to improve the utilization and administration of the COMESA Rules of Origin so as to increase products which qualify for tariff preferences already in place under COMESA. The end result will be to promote increased production and expansion of investments as more products access preferential treatment. New industries and investments will be promoted in response to the expanded market due to preferential tariffs. This in turn will improve intra COMESA trade and regional integration in Eastern and Southern Africa as a whole.
  4. Features in line with the Agenda for Action
    In line with the Agenda for action, implementation of this project would help in strengthening legal and regulatory systems, promote regional integration by removing obstacles to cross-border trade and investment and by allowing more products to access preferential treatment.

III. Contact point:

COMESA Secretariat
P.O. Box 30051, Lusaka, ZAMBIA
Fax: 260-1-225107
E-Mail: comesa@acomesa.int
COMESA website: http/www/comesa.int

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