Africa's first free trade zone, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Free Trade Area (COMESA-FTA) was launched in Zambia Tuesday, said COMESA chairman and Mauritian Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth.
"I ... declare the COMESA-FTA officially launched," he said at a gathering of 12 heads of states and government in the Zambian capital.
But only nine countries of the 20 COMESA member states have joined the free trade area, which removes tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers.
"I urge member countries which are not part to the FTA to do so as soon as possible," Jugnauth said -- LUSAKA (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
