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AfCFTA won’t be used for dumping, Kgafela assures

Confident: Kgafela does not expect the pan-African trade deal to cause dumping at home. PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Confident: Kgafela does not expect the pan-African trade deal to cause dumping at home. PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

The Minister of Trade and Industry (MTI), Mmusi Kgafela says safeguards have been put in place to ensure that the country’s ratification of the (AfCFTA) deal does not result in dumping by other countries or crushing local businesses.

Last Sunday, President Mokgweetsi Masisi officially submitted the country’s instruments of ratification to the African Union (AU) Commission, ending a four-year journey of negotiations over the pan-African trade deal. Botswana was the 46th country to ratify the deal out of 54 African countries that signed the original African Continent Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2018.

Kgafela said the AfCFTA provides protections such as anti-dumping provisions, countervailing and anti-countervailing as well as protection of infant industry that will cover local businesses from dumping, especially in key manufacturing sectors.

Editor's Comment
Calls to officialise sign language overdue

At home, Botswana is still lagging in many aspects despite some steps taken to fix the situation. Those living with disabilities are often ignored and shut out from basic rights, access to services, or social participation. A motion tabled in Parliament by Kgatleng Central Member of Parliament, Mpho Morolong, calling for the introduction and adoption of sign language as an official language in Botswana is indeed a welcome development.The deaf...

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