This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
On 31 October, the UK is set to leave the European Union, but thanks to a new economic partnership agreement, businesses will be able to continue trading freely with six Southern African nations. The deal, signed by the UK and the Southern African Customs Union, as well as Mozambique, will allow businesses to trade on preferential terms with South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini, and Mozambique.
According to UK Trade Minister Liz Truss, this is a major milestone in the UK's preparations to become an independent trading nation once again. 'We are helping businesses get ready to trade with the most exciting markets around the world,' she said.
The UK is one of South Africa's largest trading partners, with bilateral trade valued at about $9.5 billion in 2018. South Africa's Trade Minister Ebrahim Patel believes the deal will give the southern African states a soft landing in case of a no-deal Brexit.
