Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) secretary general, Chileshe Mpundu is optimistic that there is still room to expand the Seychelles’ share of intra-COMESA exports which still remains minimal at 0.2% despite being a free trade area (FTA) member.
Speaking when Seychelles’ high commissioner to south Africa and permanent representative to COMESA presented his credentials in Lusaka today, ms Kapwepwe says COMESA is planning to provide Seychelles with support in customs related programs, including customs management systems and authorised economic operator program.
She says Seychelles is one of the COMESA member states that have submitted draft offers in different services such as communication, financial, tourism services among others.
Ms Kapwepwe adds that Seychelles is participating on gender mainstreaming and women economic empowerment initiative that will enable women SME’s to access business information, capacity building, market opportunities and other business related services.
She has since appreciated Seychelles for being among the five member states that have signed the COMESA social charter.
And Seychelles’ permanent representative to COMESA Claude Morel notes that during the past 2-years, integration efforts by the Seychelles have been slowed down as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, but notes that COMESA has been resourceful and effective in its approach to mitigating the impact of the crisis.