The construction of the African Free Trade Zone has steadily promoted

With the gradual advancement of the African Free Trade Zone, African countries such as Ghana ushered in greater development opportunities. After the expansion of Tema Port in Ghana, it has become an important material import and export channel in Ghana and neighboring countries, which has become important to promote regional integration. The picture shows the recent shooting Tema.

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Recently, a series of actions for the construction of the African Free Trade Zone have attracted much attention. The construction of the free trade zone operation, trade agreement negotiations, and related support systems have made substantial progress, which greatly promoted the economic integration process of the African continent. Since its launch on January 1, 2021, the construction of the African Free Trade Zone has steadily moved forward in challenges.

At the 4th African Union (African League) year -old coordination meeting that recently ended, the 13 African heads of state or government head of the meeting called on member states to further promote the construction of the African Free Trade Zone (African Free Trade Zone), which is more active. Implement the free trade zone agreement, reduce trade barriers within the region, and promote trade integration.

Make important progress in multiple fields

Mei Ni, Secretary -General of the African Free Trade Zone, said that 39 countries have confirmed the African Africa Free Trade Agreement to the African Alliance. Essence Each parties have completed 88%of the negotiation process of more than 8,000 product origin rules, especially in the fields of automobiles, textiles, clothing and sugar. In addition, with the rapid development of African e -commerce, stakeholders are brewing digital trade protocols.

Earlier this year, the African Free Trade Zone Secretariat and the African Import and Export Banks and other institutions officially launched the pan -non -payment settlement system in the Ghana capital Akla, enabling African countries to use their domestic currencies to conduct timely, safe and rapid payment in the African continent. It is expected to be each year. The African mainland saves $ 5 billion in payment costs.

Ghana Vice President Mahamamu Bulwimia said that the Pan -non -payment settlement system will end the dependence of cross -border payment between African countries to third -party currencies, eliminate the obstacles of different currencies between African countries, benefit African small and medium -sized enterprises, production Processors and exporters help African trade and economic sustainable growth. Some experts said that as cross -border payment becomes more and more convenient, international investors will further benefit from the African Free Trade Zone dividend.

The Secretariat of the African Free Trade Zone also signed an agreement with the African Import and Export Bank to establish an African Free Trade Zone Adjustment Fund to support the African Free Trade Zone Contracting countries to adapt to new liberalization and integrated trade environment, reduce tariffs and enhance market freedom The loss of income and competition pressure caused by degree.

Mei Nei said that these measures reflect the gradual movement of the African Free Trade Zone, and also highlights the determination of African countries to promote the unified market of the region. It will further promote the trade and investment of Africa in Africa and accelerate the industrialization process.

Greatly promote free trade in the region

Experts analyze that the continuous advancement of the construction of the African Free Trade Zone is expected to release the huge vitality of multi -field and industry linked development. Many African countries not only regard infrastructure as a priority area for revitalizing the economy, but also vigorously expand new areas such as mobile communication, digital economy, clean energy, and smart cities.

At present, some African countries actively respond to the call of the African Free Trade Zone and implement relevant policies. Nigeria officially launched the Free Trade Zone -Anyeba Economic City recently. The Economic City implemented policy preferences such as tax -free, import and export permits, and exemptions to foreign workers. Nigeria products that can be processed or assembled in the economic city can avoid tariffs from tariffs. Forms to the entire African market.

Recently, the African Free Trade Zone Digital Trade Corridor has announced its launch to promote the development of African SMEs and create employment opportunities. It promotes the African government and enterprises to implement the African Free Trade Zone Agreement with a unified digital platform. According to Mei Nei, the African Free Trade Zone Digital Trade Corridor will include small and medium -sized enterprises and startups that are added to the digital business directory and social credit system. The relevant system can provide financial integration and brand development support by improving logistics and retail networks. Help companies expand their business and export products throughout Africa.

In addition, the opening of the African electronic vaccine passport will make it more convenient to circulate, trade, travel, etc. in Africa, and create favorable conditions for further promoting the process of economic and trade integration in Africa.

Aminna Mohammed, Executive Deputy Secretary -General of the United Nations, said that the construction of the African Free Trade Zone has brought important opportunities to Africa to achieve sustainable development goals. John Gazi, Dean of the Business School of Ghana Coast Cape University, believes that the African Free Trade Zone will create a huge market for free flowing products and services. It is foreseeable that this will have a huge attractiveness to international investors.

It is expected to enhance regional development toughness

The analysis believes that the construction of the African Free Trade Zone highlights the determination of African countries to promote economic transformation, and it is expected to enhance regional economic development toughness. The World Bank and the African Free Trade Zone Secretariat jointly issued a report on June 30 this this saying that under the circumstances that the free trade zone agreement is fully implemented, investment and competition are standardized, Africa is expected to increase their revenue by 571 billion US dollars by 2035, an increase of 1800 new 1800 Thousands of employment positions promoted 2.5%of the labor force into emerging industries, thereby getting 50 million people get rid of extreme poverty.

Senegal economist Samba analysis believes that the African continent is broad, most of the country's material foundation is relatively lagging, and regional development is very uneven. This is the inherent obstacles faced by Africa integration. Integration to achieve the fundamental cause of the coordinated economic and social development. At present, there are 8 regional economic cooperation organizations in Africa and more than 200 special economic zones. It has policies such as tax reduction and investment discounts. It can become the first model for the construction of the African Free Trade Zone and an important reference for promoting the integration of economic and trade in Africa. South African President Lamaga believes that the process of Africa's integration is constantly making new progress, and the official launch of the African Free Trade Zone is an important milestone in the process of Africa integrated. At present, the process of promoting the integration of Africa still faces many difficulties, especially in the aspects of responding to the new crown pneumonia epidemic, climate change, and international security challenges, the overall response capabilities of the region need to be further improved.

In the preface of the "2021 Africa Integration Report" released by the African Union in March this year, Faki, chairman of the AND Commission, said: "Although the steps of integration in some regions are slow, they will flow freely, cancel the barriers of tariffs, promote the basis Make major progress has been made in many special areas such as facilities construction and construction of transportation corridors. "Faki believes that the progress in promoting the integration of the African continent will help promote the social and economic transformation of the African continent. East Africa Community, Western African Community, East and South Africa's common markets such as the common market have achieved substantial progress in the process of integration, providing useful experience for other regions. (Source: "People's Daily")

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