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CREDIT: Africa’s main regional trade bloc, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) has called on member countries to bid for up to Sh19.6 billion (150,000 Euros) funding to support market access.

The minimum a member country of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa can apply for is Sh6.5 billion (50,000 Euros). The application deadline is November 30 this year.

The fund will be provided under the Technical Assistance Facility established by the European Union and seeks to supports activities that fall under the Comesa Regional Enterprise Competitiveness and Access to Markets Programme (Recamp).

This facility is meant to cater for priority needs of member states on the implementation of the Comesa regional integration agenda at the national level.

Only interventions related to Result Area 1 of the Recamp are eligible for support,” said Comesa in a statement.

Market access

Result Area 1 entails sustainable enhancement of the competitiveness and market access of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other firms in the targeted sectors. 

Under the result area, the capacities of beneficiary firms related to sanitary and phytosanitary and regional standards and quality management will be improved.

This includes the social and environmental standards required under the World Trade organisation and EU market.

The Recamp is an innovative approach to regional co-operation which complements other support mechanisms available to the Comesa Secretariat and its member states. 

It seeks to increase private sector participation in sustainable regional and global value chains by enhancing their access to markets and improving business and investment climate.

Necessary resources

“All eligible member states have the opportunity to submit requests which will be assessed by the secretariat with the successful requests awarded necessary resources for implementation, in line with the Comesa rules and procedures,” Comesa added. 

According to Africa’s main regional trade bloc, this the first call of applications to be launched under the Recamp programme and it is expected that member countries will take the opportunity and benefit from the facility.

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa comprises 21 member states that came together with the aim of promoting regional integration through trade and the development of natural and human resources for the mutual benefit of all people in the region.