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Douglas Alexander, the UK Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, visited South Africa and Botswana to enhance trade connections and foster opportunities for businesses in both Africa and the UK. He is the first minister from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade to visit the continent following last summer’s UK election.
The UK aims to enhance trade and investment across the continent and promote mutually beneficial growth in both the UK and Africa. This involves progressing in removing trade barriers to assist businesses in exporting more easily and offering UK support for trade development programmes throughout the continent.
During his trip, the Trade Policy Minister co-chaired the inaugural Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique (SACUM) – UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Joint Council. The Economic Partnership Agreement underpins all goods trade between the UK and SACUM members. The Joint Council examined opportunities to bolster our trade and investment partnerships and encourage economic growth across all member countries.
He met with South Africa’s Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, South Africa’s Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, as well as Botswana’s Vice-President and Trade Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe, to discuss future growth prospects in key sectors, including infrastructure, energy, transport and logistics, agriculture, minerals, and the digital economy. He also engaged with UK and South African companies. He participated in a CEO roundtable, where he sought insights from the private sector to help inform the Government’s cross-continent reset and broader trade strategy.
SACUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
The SACUM countries included in this agreement are:
• Botswana
• Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland)
• Lesotho
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• South Africa
EPAs are primarily development-focused trade agreements designed to enhance trade and investment. They play a significant role in fostering sustainable growth and reducing poverty in developing countries.
Focus On: Understanding Free Trade Agreements
This session is essential as the UK develops independent trade arrangements to boost imports and exports. It covers foundational concepts of FTAs and PTAs and examines their structure, purpose, and key elements, like rules of origin, with emphasis on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). This course empowers professionals to navigate international trade confidently and leverage FTAs for a competitive advantage.
Understanding Origin & Preference
This interactive workshop clarifies the difference between origin and preferential origin, emphasising their role in trade compliance. Through case studies and exercises, participants will learn about essential documentation, declarations, and compliance verification for preferential rules in trade agreements. With the increase in HMRC audits, this session equips businesses with the skills to confidently manage origin determination and ensure compliance in both import and export activities.
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