Web-based tool to remove non-tariff barriers in Africa became operational
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the African Union (AU) developed an online tool to remove non-tariff barriers (NTB) to trade in Africa: tradebarriers.africa. The tool, which was run on 13 January 2020, is meant to help to overcome some of the challenges the traders and businesses face when moving goods across Africa, i.e. quotas, excessive import documents or unjustified packaging requirements. To this aim, the web-based tool provides reporting, monitoring, and eliminating mechanism that will help African governments improve the movement of goods and cost importers and exporters in the region billions annually. It would hence enhance transparency, easy follow-up, and resolution of reported and identified NTBs. To make good use of this tool, 60 public officials and business representatives from across Africa were trained on how to use the tool by UNCTAD and the AU.
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