The selection: Thursday, 23 July

Launched in Windhoek: the Namibia Trade Information Portal

The portal is a web-based platform on which the Government of the Republic of Namibia will publish trade regulatory information from all government offices, ministries, and agencies that impose controls on Namibian trade. The portal will provide a single, authoritative source and will reduce the effort and time required for traders to access the information and documentation required for trade.

Developing a SA-Mozambique forestry value chain (CAJ News)

South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry is hosting a delegation of government and private sector officials responsible for the forestry sector in Mozambique. “This is an important step in deepening regional integration and the development of agro-regional value chains thus improving the competitiveness of the region. The focus is on the development of Mozambique forestry value chain to foster a mutual relationship with South African companies,” says Minister Rob Davies. The mission follows a Memorandum of Understanding on Forestry Based Industries that was signed between Mozambique and South Africa in 2011, during the Presidential State Visit by President Jacob Zuma to Mozambique.

First SADC financial inclusion Indaba: speech by SA's Minister of Finance (Treasury)

As a result the majority of cross-border remittances between the SADC countries use informal means. South Africa is one of the destination countries for many in the SADC region looking for better opportunities. According to a 2012 study conducted by the Centre for Financial Regulation and Inclusion on behalf of FinMark Trust, the South Africa/SADC remittance market was estimated at R11.2 billion annually, of which an estimated R7.6bn (68% of total remittances) was sent via informal channels.

The use of informal remittance services has two major implications – the integrity of the formal remittance system is severely undermined, whilst particularly low-income migrants face both the high costs and the high risk of using informal means of remitting funds. While there have been notable efforts to improve the situation in the region, the efforts to reduce costs and make remittance services more accessible within the formal remittance market need to be taken a step further. In this context there is a need for a more graduated policy approach - that balances regulation and the risk of exclusion. We hope that this Indaba can take this important aspect forward.

Tanzania: New financial inclusion goal is set at 75% (Daily News) 

Zambia: Barclays launches savings charter (Daily Mail)

Mozambique: National strategy for financial inclusion update (StarAfrica)

Time for action: concrete steps for IIA reforms (UNCTAD)

There is a pressing need for systematic reform of the International Investment Agreement regime. As is evident from the heated public debate and parliamentary hearing processes in many countries and regions, a shared view is emerging on the need for reform of the IIA regime to ensure that it works for all stakeholders. By now, IIA reform has become a “must”. Today, the question is not about whether to reform, but about the what, how and extent of such reform. Whatever option countries prefer, they need to bear in mind three challenges: [The author, James Zhan, is Director of the Investment and Enterprise Division]

South Africa: Trade and Industry Portfolio Committee workshop on trade, investment policy: Day 1, Day 2 (Parliament)

Winning Africa’s future: food security for all (International Policy Digest)

In a little less than 7 days, more than 1400 participants will gather in Nairobi on 30-31 July 2015 to discuss how Africa can win its future under the theme “Re-imagining Africa’s Food Security Now and into the Future under a Changing Climate.” Because the discussion occurs just before two big global conferences slated for 2015, it could set the pace for how Africa can catalyze a just future for all. [The programme]

EAC Food and Nutrition Security Policy implementation strategy: short-term assignment (EATH)

Commodity Markets Outlook (World Bank)

The World Bank is nudging up its 2015 forecast for crude oil prices from $53 in April to $57 per barrel after oil prices rose 17% in the Apr-Jun quarter, according to the Bank’s latest Commodity Markets Outlook, a quarterly update on the state of the international commodity markets. The Commodity Markets Outlook also provides detailed market analysis for major commodity groups, including energy, metals, agriculture, precious metals and fertilizers.

In a special feature assessing the roles played by China and India in global commodity consumption, the Outlook finds that demand from China and, to a lesser extent, India, over the last two decades significantly raised global demand for metals and energy—especially coal—but less so for food commodities.

WTO members raise record number of trade concerns on food safety, animal and plant health

The WTO committee dealing with food safety, animal and plant health, formally known as the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, heard a record number of specific trade concerns when it met on 15–16 July 2015. Several members raised concerns about the European Union’s proposed amendment of its approval procedure for genetically modified food and feed, also known as biotech products. The United States said that the amendment would allow EU member states to restrict or ban the use of such products with no justified reasons. The Committee discussed China’s proposed regulatory change related to biotech products.

The meeting also discussed a few concerns that were raised at previous meetings of the SPS Committee, including the EU’s ongoing work on defining criteria for identifying endocrine disruptors, South Africa’s concern about EU measures on citrus black spot, import restrictions on Japanese food products following the nuclear power plant accident, and concerns expressed by Peru and a number of other countries regarding the application and modification of the EU regulation on novel foods.

Eliminate barriers in sugar exports (Zambia Daily Mail)

Sugar producers in Southern Africa have called on governments to eliminate non-traffic barriers introduced by some COMESA members affecting free movement of sugar within the regional market. Swaziland Sugar Association chief executive officer Mike Matsebula said under the COMESA free trade area, sugar is supposed to move freely within the region. “Instead of implementing zero-tariff obligation, some sugar producers have introduced NTBs to prevent the inflow of sugar. They have introduced derogations, non-transparent import licencing schemes and surcharges. It is a concern that FTA commitments are not complied with,” Dr Matsebula said this last week during a conference hosted by Zambian sugar producers.

KEBS meets importers over new quality marks (Daily Nation)

The Kenya Bureau of Standards has held a briefing for over 200 importers and clearing agents on the new Import Standardization Mark sticker set to take stage this August. According to a statement from Kebs, the new mark provides a levelled playing field for all players in the market as only genuine certified products will be allowed in the market. Importers and clearing agents now have less than 10 days to apply and acquire the new mark for their goods to be accepted into the country. Importers from the East African Community (EAC) member states dealing with goods from Partner States are not required to apply for the sticker, but goods imported from COMESA will require the mark.

Zimbabwe: IMF 2nd SMP review next month (NewsDay)

The International Monetary Fund mission will undertake the review of the second supervised economic reform programme on Zimbabwe next month amid indications the country has made progress under the plan. IMF resident representative in Zimbabwe Christian Beddies told NewsDay that the country made progress on the SMP under the first review held in March. Commenting on the performance of the economy during the first half of the year, Beddies said the economic situation remains difficult with the agricultural sector underperforming due to adverse weather conditions. “Mitigating factors include better performance in other sectors, most notably gold. One of the key tasks of the upcoming mission will be to reassess macroeconomic conditions and if need be revisit growth forecasts,” Beddies said.

Zimbabwe Investment Authority approves $971m FDI projects (New Zimbabwe) 

Republic of Congo: IMF concludes 2015 Article IV Consultation

China grants loan to Mozambique for power transmission line (MacauHub)

China will grant a loan of US$400 million to Mozambique, the amount outstanding for the construction of a second power line for energy transmission from the centre to the north of the country, a government spokesman said Tuesday in Maputo. At the meeting the government of Mozambique ratified, among other things, the loan agreement concluded on 11 June, by which the Islamic Development Bank offered to provide US$200 million dollars for the transmission line that will link Chimuara, in Zambézia province, and Nacala, in Nampula province, over a route of just over 600 kilometres.

Chinese tourists to Zimbabwe sees 62% jump in Q1 (People's Daily) 

Manufacturers sign financing MoU with DBN (The Namibian)

Namibian manufacturers have signed an agreement with the Development Bank of Namibia through which the Namibian Manufacturers Association will identify opportunities to promote development in manufacturing, primarily through financing of enterprises that are members of NMA.

Zambia: Kwacha to stabilise, assures Kalyalya (Daily Mail)

Kenya: CBK curbs banks’ daily forex trade to save the shilling (Business Daily)

Africa impact evaluation course: event notification (IPA, J-PAL) 

SADC urges journalists to foster regional integration (Nyasa Times)

Kenya: The epicenter of the future of African entrepreneurship (CPI Financial)

We have very strong neighbours, we have Egypt in the north, we have the DRC and Mozambique on the side, Zambia as well and Somalia. This is a natural market for us; the average age is around 25 and when you look at that, the opportunity, these are very connected people. That is the space, with the demographics right, the innovation right, if I look at the innovation hubs, the ICT hubs, the technology labs in Nairobi today, the silicon savannah we talk about in Kenya; Technology is going to be a big frontier. Nairobi is bubbling globally for the innovation and technology. [The author, Joshua Oigara, is Chief Executive Officer of KCB Group]

Latin America/Caribbean: Promoting growth through effective policy (World Bank)

The conference, early in July, was jointly organized by the World Bank and the government of Peru, as a preparatory event for the 2015 Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The topics discussed included productivity improvement, job creation, infrastructure provision, and poverty alleviation. [Download the presentations]

Lin Songtian: 'China, Africa industrial capacity co-operation aims for win-win' (Capital FM)

China has accumulated successful experience in the process of its fast growth, and also paid a hard price for environment. As a sincere friend and reliable partner of Africa, we never want to see African countries follow the path of “pollution first and cleaning up later”. The Chinese government will give full support to African countries to set up industrial access standards and environmental threshold and will regulate Chinese businesses to abide by the four principles of industrial capacity cooperation. [The author is Secretary-General of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation]

Sylvia Mishra: 'How will the Trans-Pacific Partnership affect India?' (Observer Research Foundation)

Even though the magnitude of impact from trade diversion on India when the TPP is in place can be debated, it is certain that trade and investment diversions hurting the Indian economy is most likely to occur. Some of this impact may be mitigated due to a combination of inclusion in RCEP and other bi-lateral agreements. India should also re-engage the US in advancing BIT negotiations. However, a new 'trade order' is expected with much higher standards congruous to TPP standards and hence, efforts are required on the domestic front for India to acquire preparedness across industries to be able to compete globally.

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This post has been sourced on behalf of tralac and disseminated to enhance trade policy knowledge and debate. It is distributed to over 300 recipients across Africa and internationally, serving in the AU, RECS, national government trade departments and research and development agencies. Your feedback is most welcome. Any suggestions that our recipients might have of items for inclusion are most welcome. Richard Humphries (Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Twitter: @richardhumphri1)