From May 15-16, SATH facilitated a visit of farmers and other agricultural stakeholders, including banks, investment promotion agencies and commodity traders, to the 2012 NAMPO Agricultural Trade Show in South Africa, the largest agricultural trade show in Africa.

On June 4, Dr. Maxine Kennett joined SATH as the new Chief of Party.

To remove delays caused by lengthy and uncoordinated physical examinations of goods, border agencies at Nakonde, in northern Zambia, commenced joint physical examination of goods on May 1, 2012. This is expected to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes for the clearance of goods going out of the country.

From May 22-24, SATH presented the National Single Window (NSW) concept as one of the most effective tools in trade facilitation to the Ministry of Trade, Malawi Revenue Authority and other public and private sector organizations in Lilongwe and Blantyre respectively.

The main objective of the course was to enhance the knowledge and skills of commissioners and board members on the key concepts of electricity sector regulation and the critical role of renewable energy in enhancing the security of supply and minimizing the destabilizing effects of climate change. Electricity and energy regulation agencies in the region have a critical role to play in driving energy sector reforms and promoting private sector investment in the energy sector.

In light of the significant potential of the trade in services negotiations to enhance regional integration, SATH has supported the preparatory processes. SATH has also launched an initiative to assist SADC member states in consultations with private sector stakeholders in two of the four priority sectors: road freight transport and tourism.

The purpose of this conference, "21st Century Trade Facilitation Tools: Increasing International Competitiveness", is to share proven trade facilitation tools (national single window, customs connectivity, coordinated border management and one stop border posts) and programs that are being used with positive results by countries around the globe to increase their competitiveness and their Doing Business/Trading Across Border Indices with the view of encouraging more countries in Southern Africa to understand and benefit from these tools.

This issue of Export Digest looks at the processes an exporter under AGOA has to go through domestically. The processes and requirements below are generic, and exporters are advised to approach their relevant trade departments, Customs and chambers of commerce for procedures and requirements applicable in their country. There are also sector-specific processes, e.g. regarding the textiles/apparel sector and horticultural products that exporters should be aware of.