Regional Trade Agreements: An African perspective of Challanges for Customs Policies and Future Strategies

Chiumya, Chiza (2009): Regional Trade Agreements: An African perspective of Challanges for Customs Policies and Future Strategies. Published in: World Customs Journal , Vol. 2, No. 3

Abstract

The proliferation of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) has not spared the African Continent. The formation of RTAs in Africa is championed by the Regional Integration agenda under the auspices of the Regional Economic Communities. The challenges that Customs Administrations face when their countries become members of RTAs depend on whether the RTA is Trade Creating or Diverting. It is the trade-creating RTA that presents the Customs Administration with the greater challenges. This paper looks at these challenges and areas where they require Customs Administrations to concentrate their policies and strategies.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Regional Trade Agreements; Customs Administrations
• Subjects: F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F15 - Economic Integration; F - International Economics > F1 - Trade

References

African Union Commission 2009, The Minimum Integration Program, AUC, Addis Ababa.

Cernat, L 2001, Assessing Regional trade Arrangements: Are South to South RTAs More Trade Diverting? Policy Issues in International Trade and Commodities. Study series Number 16. UNCTAD Geneva Switzerland

East African Community, 2008, Trade Report 2007, EAC, Arusha.

Feaver, D & Wilson, K 2005, Preferential Trade Agreements and their Implications for Customs Services. Working Paper Number 05-03, Zayed University, Dubai.

Glenday, G 2000, Trade Liberalization and Customs Revenue: Does Trade Liberalization Lead to Lower Customs Revenues? The case of Kenya, African Economic Policy, Discussion Paper Number 44, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Salvatore, D 2004, International Economics, John Wiley and Sons.

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, & African Union Commission 2006, Assessing Regional Integration In Africa II, Rationalizing Regional Economic Communities, UNECA, Addis Ababa.

Walkenhost, P 2006, Compensating Lost Revenue in Regional Trade Agreements, International Trade Department, Trade Note Number 28, World Bank, Washington.

World Customs Organization, 2008, Customs in the 21st Century, WCO, Brussels.

Yang, Y & Gupta, S 2005, Regional Trade Arrangements in Africa: Past Performance and the Way Forward, Africa Department, WP/05/36, International Monetary Fund, Washington.