OWN CORRESPONDENT, Nairobi | Tuesday 2.00pm.
A SUMMIT of the 21-nation Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) ended in Nairobi on Tuesday with a plan to establish a zero-tariff free-trade zone by October 31 next year.
Comesa leaders called during the two-day summit for faster regional economic integration, but lamented the fact that armed conflicts were undermining development efforts. Comesa stretches from Egypt to Swaziland, but excludes economic powerhouse South Africa. The regional trade bloc has a population of about 380-million people and a gross domestic product (GDP) of around $155-billion.
Comesa also plans to introduce a Smart Card (electronic wallet)to replace existing regional travellers cheques. According to a report released Friday night the card has been widened to include national, regional and cross-border payments and will also offer significant benefits to consumers, retailers and commercial banks.
The ministers noted that an evaluation of the available options indicated that a stored value smart card system would be the most appropriate instrument to replace the regional travellers cheques.
Heads of state attended the summit from Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Angola, Comoros, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Swaziland were represented by ministers. –AFP