Highlights:
Dubai Chamber eyes new investment opportunities in Africa for its members
Enhance quality and availability of statistics: Karangizi
COMESA 2010 Summit website officially launched in Swaziland
COMESA judged “Best” in Service Provider Category at the 22nd Malawi International Trade Fair
Intellectual property for development of the COMESA region
COMESA targets the simplification of procedures for investment in the region
1. newsletter
1
Issue #253 --4th June October 2007
Issue #126 Friday 19 2010 newsletter
Dubai Chamber eyes new investment
opportunities in Africa for its members
I
n preparation to host the 4th
Common Market for Eastern
& Southern Africa (COMESA)
Investment Forum in 2011, the Dubai
Chamber organised at its premises
the first ever COMESA Workshop,
aimed at highlighting the investment
opportunities and enhancing the
economic cooperation between Dubai
and COMESA.
The Workshop was attended by
representatives of Dubai’s business
community who got the chance to
meet, discuss and network with the high
profile COMESA delegation headed by
Dr. Kombo Moyana, Ms. Heba Salam, Her Excellency Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimy,Sindiso Ngwenya and Hamad Buamim
H.E. Sindiso Ngwenya, Secretary General
of COMESA. African continent,” Buamim added. of finished products either originating
in Dubai or re-exported from Asia,
In his welcome speech, H.E. Hamad COMESA Secretary General Sindiso particularly China,” he said.
Buamim, Director General of the Dubai Ngwenya told the workshop: “Within
Chamber, stressed that Dubai and a generation Dubai has witnessed “We need to up the ante on investment
COMESA share a common vision which commendable social and economic in the region and that’s by attracting
stems from old ties and the need for progress”. Dubai investment to the COMESA
enhanced economic cooperation. region..The COMESA region is richly
“With world-class infrastructure, Dubai endowed with land, water and minerals
Buamim pointed out that organising has benefited from its geographical which require investments and
this important workshop for the first location as a bridge between Africa, technology to spur economic structural
time outside the African Continent is the GCC and Asia on the one hand and transformation. “And in the last years we
a clear message of Dubai Chamber’s between Europe and central Asia on the have seen a trickle of investments from
commitment to build strong economic other.” Dubai in some of the COMESA countries,
relations between Dubai’s business particularly in services”
community and COMESA. Ngwenya said Dubai’s business model
had been successful and served as Mr Ngwenya praised Dubai’s economic
“Dubai Chamber’s participation at a good example for other nations. model, pointing out that the Emirate
the 3rd COMESA Investment Forum “Sustainable business could also be had evolved into an attractive global
held recently in Sharm Al Sheikh in built based on creativity and innovation business destination and a major
Egypt was a great success, which was and not necessarily on optimum use of FDI centre. He added that COMESA
underlined with Dubai government’s natural resources,” he said. is counting on Dubai’s expertise in
commitment to host the 4th COMESA certain areas such as infrastructure, road
Investment Forum in 2011, in a bid to Ngwenya said the bulk of COMESA development and telecommunications
demonstrate our strategic commitment imports comprised petrochemical as the region is looking forward to
to strengthening our ties with the products such as fertilisers and polymers. enhance its cooperation with Dubai
COMESA states and positioning Dubai “However, the products COMESA
as a promising gateway to the whole imported from Dubai were in the form continued to page 3
This bulletin is published by the COMESA Secretariat Public Relations Unit but does not necessarily represent views of the Secretariat.
For Feedback: pr@comesa.int
Contact Address : COMESA SECRETARIAT, COMESA Center , Ben Bella Road
P.O. Box 30015, 260 1 229 725, 260 1 225 107
www.comesa.int
www.comesa.int, e.COMESA@comesa.int
2. Enhance quality and availability
2
of statistics: Karangizi
From left: Francis Mangeni, Stephen Karangizi and Temba Munalula
C
OMESA Assistant among policymakers. as the harmonised consumer
Secretary General price index and purchasing
(Programmes) Stephen “In today’s economy, power parities in COMESA
Karangizi has called upon the policymakers are ever talking and indeed SADC,” he said.
enhancement of the quality about ‘early warning’ systems “As regions integrate, users
and availability of statistics that can act as portend of of statistics will increasingly
needed by policymakers to economic events,” he pointed desire to see regional outlooks
make decisions which will out. “In such an environment as certain decisions, such as
help the region to grow the microscope on statistics investment decisions, will be
economically. will be much more stringent.” based on regional rather than
Mr. Karangizi noted that a national picture.”
During the opening session the global environment
of the Second meeting of was further making a Mr Karangizi said a third
the COMESA Committee demand on statistics by window by which new
on Statistical Matters on necessitating new paradigms demands were made on
31 May 2010, taking place of compiling statistics, with statistics was evidenced in the
at COMESA Centre Lusaka, COMESA seeking indicators work on the renewed focus
Zambia, Mr. Karangizi said that conceptually and on addressing supply side
an ever-changing global methodically give the regional constraints in the region.
environment continually seeks picture. “Again our statistical systems
an equally dynamic statistical are challenged to be relevant
system as statistics continue “ This is certainly manifested and provide indicators for
to underpin the basis of in the good work being monitoring progress in this
decision-making processes undertaken on indicators such area,” Karangizi said.
www.comesa.int
3. COMESA 2010 Summit website Dubai Chamber eyes
officially launched in Swaziland new investment
opportunities in Africa
T
3
he official website of the We worked collaboratively on
2010 COMESA Summit this project, and we anticipate
for its members
from page 1
has been launched in that our working together shall The Director General of Dubai Chamber
Swaziland. The website, found at continue until the end of the indicated that Dubai has succeeded in
building a friendly business environment
www.comesasummit2010.org, summit,” she said.
that fulfils the needs of investors,
contains all information about through distinguished facilities such
She added that it was important as complete income and company tax
the summit, and additionally
exemptions, free zones and through
provides for the download that the country had the site providing a modern infrastructure and
of registration forms and running as it shall not only property facilities that cater to the needs
provide information to the world of African investors.
accreditation for journalists. In
part, the Swaziland International about “our preparedness”, but “Dubai’s reputation as a centre for
would in addition serve as a conferences is unparallelled and
Trade Fair 2010 is accommodated
organising the 4th COMESA Investment
marketing tool for the Summit
as well, as it shall be held side by Forum will yield all the success that is
and the country. always associated with Dubai’s events,”
side with the Summit.
he added.
She further pointed out that
Swaziland will host a number Considered as the largest economic
the theme of the summit being block of African countries, COMESA
of COMESA meetings during
Science and Technology, it was holds the key to the economic
the month of August 2010, development of the region which is
logical for the ICT Ministry to be expected to exceed the size of its market
culminating in the Heads of
involved, and said the country of 500 million consumers by the year
State Summit to be held on 30- 2015 and is all set to lead to higher
was proud of the opportunity to
31 August 2010. His Majesty King and sustainable levels of economic
chair the bloc. growth which will provide unparallelled
Mswati III is expected to assume
opportunities for investors from all over
Chairmanship of the COMESA the world, added Buamim.
“You shall recall that there are
Authority.
many benefits derived from our He explained that the current workshop
COMESA membership, including provides the fitting platform for
In launching the website, establishing stronger trade ties between
that the country was allowed to
Dubai’s business community and the
Minister of Commerce, Industry trade under derogation, which African counterparts..
and Trade Jabulile Mashwama afforded the country’s exports
said it shall be useful to those The workshop included presentations
entry into the COMESA market from Dr. Michael Gondwe, President of
who do not stay in the country, at a minimum to zero duty. It is The Eastern & Southern African Trade
and locals, in providing all therefore gratifying to host an and Development Bank on Finance
in COMESA, Dr. Kombo Moyana,
relevant information on the run- event of such magnitude,” she CEO, COMESA Clearing House on
up to the summit and the event said. the Integration of Financial Services
itself. in COMESA and Mrs. Heba Salama,
Manager, COMESA Regional Investment
The site has links to other Agency (RIA) on the investment climate
“ The Ministry of Information, websites, like the Swaziland in the COMESA region.
Communications, and government and others. It
The COMESA region with its more than
Technology (ICT ) is responsible provides information in both 389 million population and total GDP of
for putting up the site. We English and French, as some over USD230bn offers high investment
potential, as the region’s annual
thank them for having made COMESA Member States are imports clocked USD32bn, and exports
the task the success that it was. French speaking. registered USD82bn worth of goods
www.comesa.int
4. COMESA judged “Best” in Service Provider
4 Category at the 22nd Malawi International
Trade Fair, 21-29 May 2010
among other things, how exhibitors
interpreted the theme in relation
to what they were exhibiting and
the link with their organisations or
companies , the general display,
as well as the presentation of
exhibited material to the judges by
the stand director. The Secretariat
explained in detail how this year’s
theme could not have come at
a better time since the recently
launched COMESA Customs Union
is in harmony with the theme, as
Member States can invest in each
H.E Ngwazi Dr. Bingu Wa Mutharika presents the Best Service Provider Award to COMESA stand director, other’s countries, manufacture
Helen Kenani, at the just concluded Malawi International Trade Fair
goods and trade within the region
while integrating the region into the
global trade arena. In addition, trade
in services is expected to deepen
as Member States collaborate
and liberalise this sector, with the
region consolidating its Customs
Union through partnerships within
Member states and beyond.
The judges were taken through
COMESA’s vision, current integration
status and opportunities that the
integration programme had brought
to the stakeholders thus far, citing
the rise of trade from USD3 billion
in 2000 (at the launch of the FTA)
to about USD15 billion in 2008;
The Acting Secretary General, Stephen Karangizi receives the trophy and Certificate of participation from
Helen Kenani and Mary Ndoti, who represented COMESA at the fair.
and were briefed on the envisaged
A
benefits of deepened integration
s part of its strategy on standards of living of its people,
including the Tripartite arrangement
information dissemination with political and social stability and
that is expected to result in
programme and trade peace, and where goods, services,
economic growth and development
facilitation, COMESA Secretariat capital and labour freely move
in line with the vision.
participates at Member Sates’ across borders.
International Trade Fairs which
The participation of the Secretariat
present an opportunity for the At the just concluded Malawi
resulted in high publicity for
Secretariat to meet with business International Trade Fair (MITF)
COMESA programmes and its
people, other stakeholders, with the theme, “Deepening
integration agenda, which
and students to whom the vital Trade Through partnerships”, the
were evidently appreciated by
integration information is imparted Secretariat was judged the Best in
and explained. Information is shared the ‘Service Provider Category’ and stakeholders, with the COMESA
on the various COMESA Programmes subsequently awarded a trophy Stand being visited by numerous
that are geared towards attaining that was presented to the COMESA show goers culminating with the
COMESA’S vision of attaining a stand director, by H.E President President and the First Lady’s visit
fully integrated internationally Bingu Wa Mutharika on 22 May who were dully conducted through
competitive Regional Economic 2010. the Stand. The participation of
Community; within which there COMESA was therefore a success as
is economic prosperity with high The judges were looking for, objectives were met.
www.comesa.int
5. Intellectual property for
development of the COMESA region
5
C
OMESA adopted a institutions such as the Trade able to attend the workshop
Regional Policy on Policy Training Centre in Africa have written confirming their
intellectual property ( TRAPCA). In addition, India was willingness to collaborate.
and Cultural industries represented at the workshop.
(COMESA IP policy) at its 27th COMESA and WIPO Secretariats
Meeting of Council in Lusaka, The theme throughout the held a meeting with the
Zambia. The overall goal of the COMESA IP policy and the Director General of ARIPO in
COMESA Policy is to ensure presentations made at the the margins of the workshop
that the COMESA region is Workshop was to ensure that at the posh headquarters of
transformed from a resource- Intellectual Property promotes ARIPO in Harare. It was agreed
based and raw material the developmental and that ARIPO and COMESA
economy to a ‘knowledge- technological needs of the will, under their cooperation
based and innovation driven region. Agreement, meet within the
economy’. It is strongly next few months to elaborate
believed that this will enable After constructive and activities for implementing the
the region to be competitive friendly deliberations, with COMESA IP Policy, particularly
in the global economy and the stakeholders welcoming in the area of capacity
international trade. all the presentations and building in the Member States,
the IP Policy, the workshop utilising the excellent training
As a first step towards the agreed on activities to be facilities at ARIPO and the
implementation of the undertaken by COMESA jointly existing opportunities for
COMESA IP Policy, a Workshop with partners that attended, attachments and internships.
on Intellectual Property particularly, WIPO, UNCTAD, Other activities will include
Rights, whose objective was ARIPO, and TRAPCA. WIPO sensitisation of stakeholders
to exchange views on the and UNCTAD have already including the private sector
COMESA IP Policy and put undertaken extensive activities and making progress in key
together a partnership with in various Member States, priority programmes such as
international and regional on which the region will promoting investment in the
institutions to assist the build in implementing the pharmaceuticals sector and
implementation, was held COMESA IP Policy, which both regional trade in medicines to
in Harare on 3 May 2010. 74 institutions highly welcomed. deal with killer diseases in the
participants at the Workshop Key immediate steps will be region and improve the living
included stakeholders from to update the IP audit reports conditions of particularly the
Government, the private sector, COMESA and WIPO funded in ordinary people.
international and regional 2002, and to convene a meeting
organisations, such as the of IP experts to refine the Events
World Intellectual Property partnership and develop the 7-8 June 2010:. Kinshasa,
Organisation ( WIPO), United activities for implementing the Democratic Republic of Congo,
CAADP Launch,
Nations Conference on Trade COMESA IP policy. This will be
and Development (UNCTAD), followed by another meeting
African Union Commission, and of stakeholders and Member 9-10 June 2010: Cairo, Egypt:
National Consultation Workshop
African Regional Intellectual States with participation and
for Civil Society/Private Sector
Property Organisation (ARIPO) assistance from the partners. organization
as well as research and training Some partners who were not
www.comesa.int
6. COMESA targets the simplification of
6 procedures for investment in the region
C
hief Executive Officers Mr Karangizi emphasised the sound activities related to
and other senior officials need to speed up the COMESA investment promotion. In May
of investment promotion investment agenda: “If the trade 2007, the COMESA Authority
agencies in the COMESA region agenda has achieved some adopted the Investment
met in Lusaka, Zambia on 3-4 important milestones, among Agreements for the CCIA. Some
June 2010 to discuss a regional others, the COMESA Free Trade of its features include, opening
Strategic Framework on the Area (FTA) which was launched up the investment space,
simplification of procedures for in the year 2000, and the harmonising investment policies
company registration, business Customs Union, since June 2009, and improving the business
licensing and transparency, the investment agenda needs environment in the COMESA
with the view to enhance the to be also speeded up,” said Mr region.
business and investment climate Karangizi in his opening speech,
in the COMESA region. pointing out that since the Mr Karangizi called upon the
launch of the FTA intra-COMESA harmonisation of policies
According to the COMESA trade increased from a mere US and mutual recognition of
Assistant Secretary General Mr D 3.2 Bn in 2000, to a mammoth companies registered in one
Stephen Karangizi, who opened USD 15.2 bn in 2009. COMESA country to operate in
the meeting, the delegates another country, noting that
addressed the findings of the Mr Karangizi added that to this would yield a number of
COMESA Business Survey which implement the CCIA, the benefits including the ability to
was undertaken in 2009. They COMESA Authority in 2003 share cross-border corporate
additionally considered the decided to create the COMESA information and the ease of
signing of Investment agreement Regional Investment Agency registration for companies.
for the COMESA Common (RIA) which opened its offices He underscored the merit in
Investment Area (CCIA) by the in Cairo, Egypt, in June involving the private sector
COMESA Member States. 2006 and which is currently in the enhancement of the
carrying out a number of business climate within the
region.
www.comesa.int