Closing the gaps in regional integration
By Daniel Gumm
AS ECOWAS Heads of State met in Sal, Cape Verde to adopt a West African industrial policy — the issue of economic integration and establishment of a free trade area looms even larger over the sub-region.
The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation scheme (ETLS) was designed to facilitate trade in West African agricultural and industrial goods, so that goods, persons and vehicles, could move freely within the region.
Although rules to make this vision a reality have been passed by member states, implementing them has been difficult.
A two-day joint Trade Hub-ECOWAS workshop recently has brought together more than 40 representatives of the organisations and the private sector to discuss the gaps in implementing the ETLS. The World Bank, the West Africa Monetary Institute and Ghana’s ministries of Trade and Industry, Transport, Foreign Affairs, Finance and Customs also participated. Private sectors representatives included DHL, Bollore, Maersk, Nestlé, and others.
In his welcome address to participants, Alfred Braimah, ECOWAS Director of Private Sector, called on those present to find solutions to effective implementation of trade policies in the region. Kola Sofola, Principal Programme Officer at the ECOWAS Trade Directorate, praised the practical aspect of the study, which involved interviews with both public and private sector, highlighting its uniqueness by focusing on genuine responses in addition to legislative analysis.
Several participants called for practical solutions and accountability as the vehicle to effectively implement trade policy. Equipped with pertinent information, key regional players have seized the baton to flesh out recommendations.
Technically this was a transit shipment; no fees should have been charged and customs should have granted Akpenyo an escort to the point of export.
However, customs would not confer exempt status and delayed him. Ultimately, faced with time constraints, Akpenyo opted reluctantly to pay nearly 30% of the value of the consignment in import duties, taxes and processing fees.
