As the world is trying to wrap its head around the Brexit phenomenon, an expert says chances are slim that Africa can go through the same process arguing that the approach to economic integration on the continent has been geared to avoid Brexit pitfalls.<\/p>\n
While acknowledging that the decision by Britain to leave the European Union (EU) is a clear indication that some free trade agreements are badly negotiated, the expert, Francis Mangeni, who works as the Director of Trade, Customs and Monetary Affairs in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) said Africa\u2019s integration programmes are hinged on developmental integration which combines market integration with industrial and infrastructural development.<\/p>\n
Mangeni said such an approach has helped Africa to brigde the gap between power f u l and weaker economies, a situation he said if not addressed creates inequality and disaffection among large sections of societies within economic block as has been the case in Europe.<\/p>\n
Mangeni, however, said Brexit raises the importance of ensuring that trade agreements and regional integration benefits all, and that no one is left behind in the social economic development process.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere there is imbalance in power or skills between the negotiating parties, and the powerful one is not magnanimous, the weak one usually ends up squeezed into a bad deal. This happens many times. But new thinking is that the powerful parties to negotiations should be aware that it is in their own self-interest to ensure the prosperity of the weak party, as all-round development ends benefitting the stronger party as well in terms of bigger markets and global and regional economic and political stability.<\/p>\n
\u201cImpoverished economies and weak governments can lead to failed states, resulting in conflicts, refugees and economic migrants, disease sources, et cetera which affect all neighbours far and wide,\u201d he said in an emailed response.<\/p>\n
Mangeni said in as much as globalisation is inevitable and unstoppable due to the modern information, most people are now realising that it results in inequality and disaffection by large sections of society.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is need for governments to ensure that measures are in place to steer globalisation in the right direction \u2013 ensuring job creation, decent incomes, skills development from good affordable education and health care, inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, agricultural development for food and nutrition security, et cetera.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe popular reflection of this discontent and the call for action is through the apparent popularity of right wing movements, such as those that resulted in Brexit and that support some US presidential candidate Donald Trump. There are now strong rightwing movements in a number of countries around the world; and this is a global challenge that needs to be addressed by governments through interventions that address popular discontent \u2013 lack of jobs, education, health, et cetera\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mangeni then said national and regional capacity to negotiate good trade agreements remains a priority in international relations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is needed therefore, and not just because of Brexit \u2013 this has been known all along, is proper preparation before a country goes into negotiating a trade agreement, and to be clear about objectives to be pursued and the possible impact from var ious scenarios,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that while Malawi has immense opportunities in regional markets such as the Comesa free trade area and the Tripartite, the private sector needs to be aware of the trade and investment opportunities available in order to be able to supply the large markets<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this regard, the Government of Malawi can work closely with the Comesa secretariat to disseminate information on such opportunities to stakeholders in the country. In addition, the capacity of local producers should be improved, so that they can produce products on a large and cost-effective scale \u2013 therefore building local and regional value chains is important.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe products should meet health and technical standards required in the export markets. Government policy is required to prioritise these interventions, and to regularly monitor and evaluate implementation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Some analysts have described Britain\u2019s decision to leave the EU, a 28 member economic block of countries in Europe, as a rejection of globalisation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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