Reducing Wait Times at Customs to Boost Trade: How Implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement Can Expand Trade among AfCFTA Countries?
June 12, 2024
FERDI is distinguished by its active commitment to regional integration and the development of international trade. It is engaged in both theoretical and technical discussions to support the actions of regional institutions.
Studies and research are conducted in close collaboration with the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), and other regional African institutions.
A third partnership agreement was signed with the WAEMU Commission for the period 2023-2025 and with the CEMAC Commission for the period 2023-2024, demonstrating FERDI's ongoing commitment to these institutions.
Objectives
↪ to analyse the sustainable competitiveness and capacity of African countries to integrate into the global economy
↪ to contribute to the analyses conducted by the WAEMU and CEMAC Commissions
↪ to assess the impact of trade measures in developing countries and their link to the environment
↪ FERDI has signed partnership agreements with WAEMU and CEMAC. For WAEMU, 5 areas of work are being implemented: tax potential and green taxation, monitoring the economic vulnerability of WAEMU countries, the digital economy, agricultural modernization policies, and youth employment policies. The work program under the agreement with CEMAC includes support for the launch of the Observatory of the Business Climate of CEMAC, deepening issues related to multilateral surveillance, and consolidating the conclusions of the University of Excellence study.
↪ Two studies have been carried out on competitiveness in the WAEMU zone. The first examines non-price competitiveness in WAEMU, and the second focuses on structural transformation in WAEMU. Patrick Plane, the author of these studies, provides valuable insights to guide strategic decisions in the region.
↪ Several articles on the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement have been published in peer-reviewed journals and blogs. Jaime de Melo, the author, argues that implementing the provisions of the Trade Facilitation Agreement would significantly complement the tariff reduction program of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
↪ From 12 to 14 December 2023, the Institut des hautes études du dévelopment durable (IHEDD) organised a seminar bringing together executives from the public and private sectors who are working to integrate sustainable competitiveness into public policies.
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