| Issue 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
THE ROLE OF NON STATE ACTORS IN REGIONAL INTEGRATION In Eastern and Southern By
October 2001 ==========================
===================== Although regional integration is not a very new concept, it has gained more popularity in the last two decades. Neighbouring countries in different parts of the world have converged in joint pursuit of all macroeconomic functions to promote intra-regional trade of goods and services. By so doing, the countries anticipate a more efficient use of resources, faster transformation of their economies, reduction/eradication of poverty as well as creating prosperity for their people. In Africa, the idea of regional integration was conceptualised in the 1 960s and took shape at the Lagos Plan of Action of 1980 and its update, the Abuja Agreement of 1991. Today there are four major regional groupings in the continent and these are the Southern African Development Community (SADC); the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Despite enormous trade impediments facing Africa, there is growing evidence that interregional trade in most of these regional groupings is rising. It is however disturbing to note that poverty levels in the continent continue to grow, a major problem which regional Integration is expected to address. Critiques to regional integration in Africa highlight the non-involvement of non-state actors as a major factor contributing to non-achievement of goals. The process is limited to state - state co-operation and this severely curtails proper identification of peoples’ needs. Trade and Development Centre Trust (TRADES CENTRE) is a non-governmental and non profit making organisation involved in studies, training and trade policy dialogue in the context of globalisation, North-South co-operation and regional integration. The Centre has taken this initiative to make a study on the roles of Non State Actors in regional integration within the framework of COMESA and SADC. The study also identifies issues of focus by the non-state actors so that the regional integration process in Africa can achieve its declared goals of poverty reduction and eradication. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is a German NGO,
which is collaborating with likeminded partners on globalisation and
regional integration issues in many countries throughout the world.
The FES therefore gladly supports TRADES CENTRE in concluding this study
and publication. It is our sincere hope that this publication is useful
to its intended target group (stakeholders in trade policy) and will
add value to the discussion on regional trade policy By Dr. Moses Tekere Dr. Felix Schmidt ====================== Regional Integration is the economic convergence of neighbouring states working jointly in pursuit of all macroeconomic functions to promote intra-regional trade of goods and services. Common goals are usually economic transformation, development and eradication of poverty. The rationale behind regional integration is that partnership between countries can achieve these goals in a more efficient way than unilaterally. The concept gained tremendous momentum in the last three to four decades and has been implemented with considerable degree of success in Europe and North America through the formation of the European Union and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) respectively. In Africa, idea of regional integration became prominent in the 1 960s, following the wave of independence which swept the continent. The Lagos Plan of Action of 1980 and its update, the Abuja Agreement of 1991, set the pace for the formation of regional groupings such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC); the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). This paper focuses on the roles of Non State Actors in regional integration within the context of COMESA and SADC.
====================== Regional integration has gained momentum for the last three to four decades. Countries are forming regional trading blocs with aims of economic transformation, development and eradication of poverty. Major regional trading blocs in Southern and Eastern Africa are SADC and COMESA Although trade within these blocs is on the rise, poverty and malnutrition levels are still very high in most states of Southern and Eastern Africa as reflected by low per capita GDP and a high rate of malnutrition in the region. A major constraint of regional integration in Africa is that virtually all the countries rely on the same primary commodities, which compete for the same global market. Further, there is a wide array of other constraints to regional integration, which include poor infrastructure, the debt burden, Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs), Unstable world economic conditions, wars and natural disasters. It is fundamental to include Non State Actors in the formulation of regional integration policies because experience has shown that they are very influential and strong in terms of lobby and advocacy for the benefit of the marginalised people. Non State Actors have a major advantage that they work closely with grass roots people. This enables them, better than Governments, to formulate common positions and articulate their views and interests. Some important issues, which Non State Actors must pursue, are poverty alleviation, good governance, health and food security policies as well as effects of debt and Structural Adjustment Programmes. For effective participation on the regional integration dialogue, the Non State Actors face the challenges of enhancing their capacities, improving research, flow of information and networking as well as stabilising their funding sources. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Web quiries? Please contact tradesc@africaonline.co.zw
|