National Trade Tariff conference set for Bulawayo
THE Competition Tariff Commission of Zimbabwe (CTC) is set to host the National Trade Tariff Conference in Bulawayo from 14 to 15 September.
Running under the theme: “Unpacking Zimbabwe’s Trade Agreements and Benefits that can Accrue to Local Industry,” the conference’s objective is for industry to appreciate trade agreements and how they can benefit them.
In a concept note, CTC said Zimbabwe was a signatory to several trade agreements at regional and multilateral levels and to maximise benefits from these agreements, it was critical that local industry be informed of their dictates.
“Zimbabwe was a signatory to several trade agreements at regional and multilateral levels and is party to Southern African Development Community (Sadc), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), European Union-Eastern and Southern African Economic Partnership Agreements (EU-ESA EPA),
United Kingdom-Eastern and Southern African Economic Partnership Agreements (UK-ESA EPA), World Trade Organisation (WTO) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) trade agreements.
“To maximise benefits from these agreements, it is critical that local industry be informed of their dictates including tariff issues, unfair trade practises, rules of origin, standards, export opportunities, trade facilitation, resources mobilisation potential benefits, threats and mitigatory measures available,” said the Commission.
The conference is envisaged to assist local industry and commerce to tap into the ensuing opportunities, planning of future production and attendant future investment requirements.
CTC said the country can thus derive maximum benefits from the trade agreements as well as receive information on available export opportunities, in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“The NDS1 outlines the country’s strategies, policies, legal and institutional reforms and the programmes and projects that will be implemented over the five-year period, to realise the country’s Vision 2030. Pursuant to the objectives of NDS1 and ensuring that local industry takes advantage of the existing trade agreements, the conference is being organised to conscientise industry of existing trade agreements Zimbabwe is party to and how best these can be exploited for the country’s benefit,” added CTC.
The Commission said it received complaints from companies based in Bulawayo during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), stakeholders’ consultation conferences for the AfCFTA market access offer development and tariff policy consultation workshop as well as during trade remedies training workshop.
CTC said these companies have said that they were uninformed on treaties and could not exploit them, while also unaware of the relevant institutions that deal with various issues related to the implementation of trade agreements.
As part of the objectives of the conference, CTC said it will sensitise local industry on existing trade agreements, categorisation of products and phasing of liberalisation of tariffs under the Sadc, Comesa, EU-ESA EPA, UK-ESA EPA and
AfCFTA agreements.
The conference will constitute presenters and discussants and a total of 100 participants are targeted.
Presenters will be drawn from regional and national organisations notably United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Trade Law Centre (TRALAC), Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), Professionals Business Association of Zimbabwe (PROBAZ), Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) and Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI).
Industry and Commerce Minster Dr Sekai Nzenza is set to officially open the conference on the second day, while Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube and UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe will grace the event.
CTC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and established through the Competition Act [Chapter 14:28]. Its mandate is to promote and maintain fair competition and trade practises in Zimbabwe. It administers competition policy and law and trade tariffs policies in the country.