Article
2018 Agbiz Congress - Spotlight on SA's trade relations
Published: 16/07/2018
Europe remains a major market for South African agricultural exports and has growth potential, but a partnership approach is needed to address the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT) measures affecting exports such as citrus, said Sifiso Ntombela Agbiz head of International Trade and Investment at the congress.
Europe remains a major market for South African agricultural exports and has growth potential, but a partnership approach is needed to address the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT) measures affecting exports such as citrus, said Sifiso Ntombela Agbiz head of International Trade and Investment at the congress.
Ntombela said that countries in Asia also hold a lot of export potential for South African agricultural products, but there is a need for broader access and bilateral trade agreements.
The 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2012, adopted a decision to establish a Continental Free Trade Area (CTFA) in Africa. This was signed by 44 states. South Africa and Nigeria did not sign the agreement, as these countries needed more time for consultation and alignment to national policies.
"If the CFTA is implemented it could increase the continental welfare by US$ 21 billion per year. Although the CFTA is a positive development for trade on the continent, it may have a negative impact on the revenue of smaller countries."
Ntombela also said the USA's new tariff structure may have a huge negative influence in international trade.