EAC – COMESA – SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area

The tripartite is composed of the three regional blocks COMESA, EAC and SADC which aims to create a free trade area with the aim of customs and economic liberalization. It is envisaged that the twenty-six (26) countries will engage in negotiations for the establishment of a Tripartite FTA, recognizing that substantial progress on trade liberalization has been achieved within their three RECs. The establishment of the Tripartite FTA will build upon and consolidate the RECs acquis. The first phase will cover negotiations on market access and in a parallel and separate track the movement of business persons across the region. The second phase will cover negotiations on trade in services, intellectual property rights, competition policy, and trade development and competitiveness. Seychelles is actively engaged in the trading block, and ensures full participation in meetings and discussions.