The movement of goods and persons across the border remains a big challenge due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic
East Africa chamber of commerce (EACC) chief executive officer Charles Kahuthu said the pandemic has forced them to embrace online trading platform.
He said there was a formal trade arrangement launch under the African Continental Free Trade Area [AFCFTA] last week on an online platform in the continent.
“The online platform will enable some micro and small enterprises in the continent to trade across the border,” he pointed out.
He spoke during the lighting of African Trade Torch held along Moi Avenue in Mombasa county.
The EACC chief executive officer said the main agenda of the ceremony which is happening in five countries in the continent is to reconnect the continent to start trade more on itself.
Kahuthu reminded the forum the agenda threshold goal is for micro and small enterprises to become more sustainable businesses which can grow to the next level.
He insisted at such a stage they will become international with the ceremony being crucial in cutting across the pandemic borders.
“Despite the ceremony being African online initiative the Kenyan private sector plays a crucial role with Africa Union representing the governments in the continent,” he pointed out.
On his part World Chambers Federation board vice President Kiprono Kittony acknowledged that bureaucracy is a challenged to hastening the possibility of goods, labour and services to transcend the barriers of boundaries set during the colonial era.
He added it is now the beginning for the African continent to start realizing the opportunities bestowed by the Almighty God.
“There is an indication of gain through the investment the government has made on infrastructure,” he pointed out.
On his part Mombasa deputy governor William Kingi said the port county remains deeply reliant on its trading role and its strategic location has always anchored its status as the region’s logistical hub.
He said the county government is encouraged by the deliberate efforts of the African Continental Free Trade Area [AFCFTA] facilitating free movement of people and goods across Africa.
“African nations have made rapid progress by building infrastructure and eliminating red tape that prevent the free movement of goods between neighbors,” he added.
KNCC Mombasa chapter chairman Mohamed Ramadhan Mustafa said the ceremony is a signal of the operation phase on the continent of AFCFTA.
He said the launch will bring great opportunities in the continent and in different counties.
“Let me urge the county business community outside the economic zone to take advantage of AFCFTA with a market of close to one billion people,” he pointed out
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