Business updates

A two-day Commonwealth Meeting on African Regional Consultation on Multilateral, Regional and Emerging Trade Issues was held in Mauritius on 25-26 May 2017. The consultation meeting held at Balaclava, looked into challenges faced by Sub-Saharan African countries.

Participants had the opportunity to discuss about the most pressing trade and development challenges for Commonwealth African member states, in the light of unfavourable global economic and trade patterns, rising protectionism and growing discontent about globalisation. 

Working sessions focused on the implications of the global trade slowdown for the achievement of Sub-Saharan Africa's growth and development; the identification of trade and development priorities for Africa; and the assessment of the developmental implications for Africa of the emerging and new issues in World Trade, amongst others.

The workshop saw the presence of Mr. Mohammad A. Razzaque, Head of International Trade Policy at the Commonwealth Secretariat, who made a presentation on the major global trade trends and the performance of Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants from both the public and private sectors attended the workshop. MCCI was represented by Mr. Raju Jaddoo, Secretary General, and Ms. Rooma Narrainen-Pillay, Manager of the Trade Division.

The Handbook on Regional Integration in Africa - Towards Agenda 2063, published by the Commonwealth, was also launched on this occasion. The handbook provides a unique resource on current dynamics, opportunities, challenges and policy options for Africa’s regional integration agenda.

The Handbook can be accessed here.