EU Report on Generalised Scheme of Preferences Shows Increased Imports from...
Last month, the European Commission published its biannual Report on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (“GSP”) for the period 2018 - 2019. It is reported that over 10% of EU imports come from GSP...
View ArticleU.S. to Negotiate Trade Agreement with Kenya to Counter Mainland China’s...
The United States and Kenya announced on 6 February plans to negotiate a bi-lateral trade agreement. Press sources note that the United States is looking to the Kenya deal, and others it could spawn...
View ArticleGHANA: Africa’s First Universal QR Code Payment System Launched
Ghana launched universal Quick Response (QR) code and Proxy Pay systems on 25 March, making it the first African country to join Singapore, India and China in introducing a QR code payment platform....
View ArticleKenyan Consumer Market: Riding the Online Retailing Wave (1)
Having one of the most digitally connected populations in Africa, Kenya is emerging as a promising area of opportunity for online retailing. The country has embraced technology such as mobile money to...
View ArticleTUNISIA: Open to Tariff-Free Trade within the COMESA Free Trade Area
Tunisia has announced that it can now engage in free trade with the 15 other nation members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Area.Language English
View ArticleKenyan Consumer Market: Riding the Online Retailing Wave (2)
Emerging as an area of opportunity for online retailing, Kenya has witnessed the rise of indigenous e-commerce platforms and the increasing footprints of international players, reflecting significant...
View ArticleMAURITIUS: Port Fees Waived, Rebates Extended, until 31 December 2020
The government of Mauritius approved an Enterprise Support Plan (Plan de Soutien aux Entreprises) on 13 March 2020, designed to help the country’s commercial sector weather the impact of the Covid-19...
View ArticleSOUTH AFRICA: New VAT Exemptions; Duty Rebates on Essential Imports
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced on 27 March 2020 that the import of certain ‘essential goods’ to the Republic of South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic will now be fully exempt...
View ArticleGHANA: Government Suspends Demurrage, Rent Charges on Cargoes
Demurrage, detention and storage rent charges on all cargoes at Ghanaian seaports will be waived while government restrictions for containing the Covid-19 pandemic are in effect. The move by the...
View ArticleSOUTH AFRICA: China Trade Group Teams up with Major Events Firm to Promote...
The South Africa-China Economic and Trade Association (SACETA) announced on 20 April that it has partnered with Africa Oil & Power (AOP) to promote Sino-Africa trade.Language English
View ArticleKENYA: Ports Authority Reintroduces Verification Levies for Imports
On 21 April 2020, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) resumed collecting verification charges from importers for container cargoes imported into the country.Language English
View ArticleEAST AFRICA: Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda Introduce Stricter Overland Cargo Controls
The East African states of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have introduced stricter cargo movement measures aimed at containing the cross-border spread of Covid-19, following a rise in cases attributed to...
View ArticleSOUTHERN AFRICA: SADC Countries to Use Electronic Certificates of Origin
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced on 9 May 2020 that it will be introducing the use of an Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCoO) system within all 16 member nations.Language...
View ArticleNIGERIA: Central Bank Assures Foreign Investors of Fund Repatriation
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reassured foreign investors that they will be able repatriate their money from the country if they wish to do so.Language English
View ArticleALGERIA: New Finance Bill to Cut Taxes on Component Imports
The Algerian government has proposed a two-year tax holiday on the purchase of raw materials and components.Language English
View ArticleKENYA: Ban on Bonded Warehouse Use by Importers from 12 August
Kenya has issued new regulations targeting importers of a wide range of consumer goods. The directive, released by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and published in The Kenya Gazette, dated 13 May,...
View ArticleUSTR Updates Congress on U.S. Trade Negotiations
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer recently updated Congress on on-going and potential U.S. trade negotiations. Among other things, he acknowledged that mainland China is not currently on pace...
View ArticleMOROCCO: New Free Trade Zone under Construction to Combat Illegal Imports
Morocco is building a free trade economic zone in the northern town of Fnideq, near the Spanish-administered enclave city of Ceuta, in a bid to reduce illegal imports.Language English
View ArticleSOUTHERN AFRICA: New Cross-border Transport Rules Approved by SADC
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has approved two official guidelines for cross-border transportation of goods in response to the Covid-19 pandemic at its extraordinary Council of...
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