COMESA concerned of its small export shares in US

COMESA) Secretary General Sindiso Ngwenya

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretary General Sindiso Ngwenya has expressed disappointment that COMESA’s share of exports to United States is still very small.

Speaking when he received credentials from American Ambassador to Zambia and envoy to COMESA Eric Shultz this morning, Mr. Ngwenya laments that in 2012 COMESA exports to the U.S accounted for only 2.1 percent and 1.8 percent in 2013.

Mr. Ngwenya adds that COMESA’s imports from the U.S are not yet better as they stood at 2.4 percent in 2012 and 2.2 percent in 2013 respectively.

He stresses that the sub-Saharan African countries are yet to explore trade opportunities in relation to the six thousand five hundred eligible products with the US especially in agriculture products.

Mr. Ngwenya has however expressed confidence that Mr.Shultz’s new mandate will contribute to the enhancement of COMESA activities and regional integration agenda.

And American Ambassador to Zambia Eric Shultz has reaffirmed his

government’s commitment to working closely with all COMESA member states.