1 - Pan African partnerships and networking
PACT II seeks to build South-South cooperation linkages between the three Regional Economic Communities (RECs) – COMESA, ECCAS, ECOWAS–in terms of exchange of information and best practices as regards regional trade development and promotion. Through inter-REC consultations, collaborative linkages are promoted at Pan-African level, in the interest of maximising the use and rollout of African trade development expertise across the continent. Furthermore, strategic market development activities outside the African continent, in as much as they are relevant for the three regions concerned, are pursued jointly, specifically in respect to the creation of linkages with emerging economies. Networking aimed at promoting trade and investment with major sourcing and destination markets are further facilitated through support to the organization of an African Business Forum.
OUTPUT 1.1- Inter-REC exchange on intra and inter-regional TDP activated
OUTPUT 1.2- African Business Forum sponsored and promoted as Pan-African platform for public-private dialogue and business partnerships building
2 - REC leadership for regional trade
The staff of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) is trained in key technical functions of trade development and promotion, including market analysis, strategy formulation and result-based programme management. Capacity is built for trade flow analysis, leading to the formulation of a roadmap setting out priorities and approaches for intra- and extra-regional trade development and promotion, with due consideration to gender and environmental impact.
With the involvement of industry representatives from member states, sector strategies are developed, serving as programming frameworks for the development and implementation of sector-specific sustainable export development programmes, engaging all relevant public and private sector operators.
OUTPUT 2.1- Appropriate REC TDP structure with key technical and operational capacities agreed upon, and its management in place
OUTPUT 2.2- RECs staff and resource persons applying market analysis tools and methods for the prioritization of sectors and destination markets, with due consideration to poverty reduction, gender mainstreaming and environment impact
OUTPUT 2.3- RECs lead a participatory process for the formulation of strategy framework for sustainable and inclusive regional trade development in one priority sector/product group
3 - Regional trade support networks
Relevant regional trade support networks are strengthened to provide an effective interface between the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the private sector in the regions, and thereby an outreach mechanism for regional trade promotion activities. Regional trade information systems are established to serve as platforms for trade information exchange between the regional and national levels.
OUTPUT 3.1- Regional Trade Support Institutions (TSI) networks, including businesswomen’s networks, formalized and operationalized for participation in regional trade support and promotion
OUTPUT 3.2- Regional private sector apex bodies strengthened as the primary and active interface for public private dialogue and partnerships at the regional level (Output 3.2)
OUTPUT 3.3- Regional trade law institutions - operating under OHADA (“Organisation pour l’Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires”) network - assisting enterprises understand the advantages and implications of regional trade rules and regulations
OUTPUT 3.4- Regional trade information networks established and operational
4 - Sector and enterprise competitiveness
In line with regional sector priorities, one regional sector initiative is implemented in each region, reaching out to selected countries. The overall thrust of this programme includes the development of key support services within relevant trade support institutions (TSIs) in disciplines such as quality management, standards (including environmental standards), exporter training and supply-chain management based on ITC’s training methodologies and tools.
TSIs subsequently support selected small and medium size enterprises operating in the sectors to upgrade their business processes and export management skills, and thus improve their competitive position on regional and overseas markets.
Targeted business matchmaking and market development initiatives in the form of buyers/sellers meetings, market orientation tours or trade fair participation are organised to facilitate business linkages and actual business deals. Emphasis is placed on regional and emerging markets, as well as mentorship links with business networks in established markets. OUTPUT 4.1- Sector-specific product and market development services preparing SMEs for regional and international markets, in adherence with regional sector strategy framework
OUTPUT 4.2- Gender-responsive business development services and market linkages for women exporters provided through
ACCESS! network ACCESS! for African Businesswomen in International Trade
The increased recognition that gender-based discrimination prevents societies as a whole, women and men, from reaching their full potential applies fully to the gender barriers and gender-based constraints women face in trade and international business development.
Under these conditions, no society can afford to neglect considerable parts of its competitive potential in the globalising economy. The entrepreneurial drive and potential of businesswomen to contribute to economic growth and export development in the formal economy remains still widely untapped in many countries.
“Promoting gender equality and empower women” (Millenium Development Goal 3) has two complementary and mutually reinforcing dimensions of relevance to the PACTII Programme: the mainstreaming of gender equality perspective for more equality in all trade-related assistance and the economic empowerment of women, particularly women entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium size enterprises.
In this context, PACT II includes a major component dedicated to supporting existing and potential women exporters and strengthening related support capacity at both regional and national levelsUnder these conditions, no society can afford to neglect considerable parts of its competitive potential in the globalising economy. The entrepreneurial drive and potential of businesswomen to contribute to economic growth and export development in the formal economy remains still widely untapped in many countries.