This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
Published on July 5, 2020, Comesa is set to pilot a digital Rules of Origin system to boost intra-regional trade, which has stagnated since 2000.
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) has identified 15 member states, including Burundi, Rwanda, and Kenya, to pilot the Comesa Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCO) system.
The eCO system is expected to reduce costs and time required in registration, application, and submission of certificates and post-verification of originating goods.
Other countries in the ready group are the DR Congo, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sudan, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Comesa Director of Trade and Customs, Dr. Christopher Onyango, emphasized the need for speedy implementation of the eCo system, citing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictive measures.
“The Covid-19 pandemic calls for speedy implementation of the Comesa eCo by all member states. This together with the improvement of Customs cooperation and trade facilitation, will no doubt enhance intra-regional trade and attract more investments into the region,” Dr. Onyango said.
