Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Siame Kayula has called for full participation of all COMESA member states in implementing policies aimed at improving integration in the region.
Speaking when she graced the 32nd COMESA Trade and Customs Committee, Ms Kayula said the good policies initiated by COMESA will only yield positive results if fully implemented by member states.
She said there is need to improve the level of participation among COMESA member states if integration is to be realised.
Ms Kayula stressed that the low level of participation by COMESA member states has negatively affected the implementation of programmes.
She disclosed that the recent survey undertaken by the COMESA Secretariat showed low levels of implementation at national levels.
Ms Kayula charged that there was need to sensitize member countries on the COMESA protocols and the benefits attached to the implementation of the policies.
And speaking earlier, COMESA Assistant Secretary General for Programmes Ambassador Dr Kipyego Cheluget disclosed that the organisation has continued to record high levels of trade among member states.
However Dr Cheluget revealed that the fluctuation in world commodity prices has slightly affected trade in the region.
He disclosed that COMESA’s global total exports declined by 20 percent from 85 billion United States dollars in 2014 to 68 billion United States dollars in 2015.
Dr Cheluget added that COMESA’s global imports declined by 8 percent from 182 billion United States dollars in 2014 to 167 billion United States in 2015.
The COMESA Assistant Secretary General for Programmes called for concerted efforts in enhancing intra-trade among the economies of member states.
He explained that member countries should invest in industrialization so that goods are sold as finished products.
Dr Cheluget said COMESA members have not benefited enough in the exporting of raw materials adding that COMESA will benefit more if goods are exported as finished products.
He also pointed out that the existence of Non-Tariff barriers has negatively affected trade in the COMESA region.
