COMMON Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) has recorded an increase of 210 percent of the total exports to the rest of the world between 2020 and 2023.

Speaking during the 45th Meeting of the COMESA Inter-Governmental Committee held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Acting Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Rodney Sikumba says that the exports increased from 100 billion to 219 billion United States dollars.

Mr Sikumba also said that the region recorded a 40 percent increase of Intra-COMESA export trade during the same period, stating that the intra-export value grew from $10 billion to $14 billion respectively.

“With regard to the Tripartite Free Area, significant progress has been achieved with the coming into force of the agreement on 25th July 2024 after the Threshold Of 14 Ratifications Was Attained,” said Mr Sikumba.

Meanwhile, COMESA Secretary General, Chileshe Kapwepwe, said that trade facilitation instruments have helped in overcoming barriers to trade while accelerating intra-regional trade and investments.

Ms Kapwpwe also disclosed that COMESA’s 30 years anniversary celebrations, will come with the launch of Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO) in three-member states, namely Eswatini, Malawi and Zambia.

She added that the e-CO will provide a simple, secure and fully online process to apply, issue, exchange documents and verify electronic certificates of origin issued in the member states, which will make transactions seamless, efficient, cheaper, safer and more environmentally friendly.