Seychelles’ private sector explores Sadc, AFCFTA trade benefits |23 August 2023
The delegates in a souvenir photo (Photo: Sunny Esparon)
Seychelles’ private sector now has a better knowledge on the opportunities presented through the country’s membership in the Southern African Development Community and the SADC Trade Protocol, the African Continental Free Trade Area.
It followed a one-day workshop at the Savoy Resort & Spa yesterday organised by the SADC Business Council and the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (SCCI) supported by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) secretariat and the GIZ (German Development Corporation).
In addition, the workshop was aimed at working on mechanisms for the identification and resolution of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) to trade within the SADC region and Africa. It also allowed the Seychellois private sector to share their experiences in trading in the African continent under these trade regimes as well as identify areas requiring additional support with a view to improving trade in the SADC region.
In his opening remarks, SCCI chairman Oliver Bastienne stated that a free and open market remains as important as ever.
He explained that Seychelles welcomes trade agreements which enable the free-flow of goods and services across the continent due to the fact that it will boost the trading position of Africa in the global market.
“Our continent has immense potential and wealth and it is workshops like today that create synergy and networks among us. In addition it creates platforms and forums to discuss the non-tariff trade barriers locally and regionally and how we can collectively report and overcome them,” said Mr Bastienne.
He added that the workshop was being organised with the support of the German Development Corporation, SADC business council and SCCI. Its objective was to strengthen and build capacity of the private sector to encourage, promote and tap into new opportunities to enhance the country’s wealth.
He emphasised that Africa and more specifically the SADC region offers many opportunities for both companies and individuals who are prepared to learn its intricacies and to serve its various purposes.
“Therefore we need to help our enterprise accelerate their pace of internationalisation, especially in the region and at home and groom talent with deep regional and continental market expertise,” said Mr Bastienne.
He concluded by stating there should be a continuous building of strong ties with the African counterparts within bilateral and multilateral context. “SCCI and the SADC business council believe that the workshop today is the beginning of a stronger commitment between the local private sector, SADC business council and the Seychelles government,” he noted.
For her part, regional trade advisor at GIZ, Rejoice Karita expressed that GIZ aims to improve the conditions of trade in goods and services in the SADC region and to support the SADC industrialisation agenda. The programme is funded by the German government through the Federal Ministry of Economic Corporation and Development.
“One of the key areas of support of this programme is the resolution of NTBs as well as the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement,” said Ms Karita.
She pondered on the fact that the AFCFTA offers significant potential for Africa’s economic transformation and is also expected to provide opportunities for growth through the diversification that will be led by extended market opportunities. “This transformation will not only be facilitated by the gradual elimination of channels but also the removal of NTBs that we face in the region as well as across the continent,” added Ms Karita.
She stated that to make Africa’s transformation a reality, the private sector has a critical role to play.
“Dialogue and the involvement of private sector are key in this process. The focus of this workshop is not only to sensitise the private sector on NTBs and African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), but we would also like to hear the experiences, successes as well as particular challenges faced by the Seychelles private sector with regards to trade in the region and across the continent,” she added.
In her speech, the programme officer at SADC, Motheba Madinberg expressed their appreciation for the Seychelles government’s commitment to start this important initiative.
“As part of the SADC secretariat we are here to serve the region and whenever a call is made, ours is to adhere to that call,” proclaimed Ms Madinberg.
She explained that there were certain barriers to trade in the region and the issues needed to be addressed.
For his part, the director general for Trade, Ricky Barbé stated that the workshop provided an opportunity for all stakeholders to be thoroughly informed of the advantages and the benefits entailed in the cross border trade in the AFCTFA, and the workshop would hopefully lead to positive and constructive session for everyone.
Also present at the workshop was the Minister of Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry, Devika Vidot.
Sunny Esparon
