Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of launching a second phase of the Africa Free Trade initiative after the UK has left the EU.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
More trade is essential in order to promote economic growth and reduce poverty. Promoting trade in Africa offers tremendous opportunities, both to African and British businesses. Now and after leaving the EU, the UK will continue the work started by the African Free Trade initiative to support trade in Africa by providing assistance to improve infrastructure, cut red tape and harmonise regulations, and increase businesses’ capacity to export.
Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her policy is on the development of an African Union Continental Free Trade Area.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
The UK is firmly supportive of the aims of the Continental Free Trade Area. The creation of a single continental market for goods and services, the expansion of intra-African trade, and enhanced competitiveness of industry will all help to boost economic growth, reduce poverty and strengthen UK trade and investment opportunities.
The timetable for establishing the CFTA is ambitious and we would encourage the AU and African countries not to lose sight of the need to strengthen implementation of existing agreements, especially on trade facilitation.