Long way for African Free Trade Area: economists

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2011-06/17/c_13936297.htm

JOHANNESBURG, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC) met in Johannesburg, South Africa to launch the negotiations of Tripartite Free Trade Area (T-FTA) recently.

Economists warned that there are lots of challenges and it is a long way to go.

"However, the road to a smooth running FTA will not necessarily be an easy one," warned Johannesburg based economist and economic commentator Mike Schussler on Friday.

South African Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies briefed that the first phase of setting up the FTA across 26 African countries is expected to be completed within three years.