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China grants Botswana zero-tariff access

Botswana and China flags.PIC.BGCIS
Botswana and China flags.PIC.BGCIS

Botswana, along with several other African countries, has secured zero-tariff access to the Chinese market under new trade concessions announced at the ongoing Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meetings.

The move forms part of Beijing’s broader effort to strengthen economic ties with Africa and increase the continent’s share of exports to China.

The zero-tariff arrangement will allow a wide range of goods originating from Botswana and other qualifying least-developed countries (LDC) on the continent to enter China duty-free. Whilst the full scope of eligible products is yet to be published, sectors expected to benefit include beef, leather, horticultural produce, textiles and other non-mineral goods.

Editor's Comment
Warm relations must not come at the expense of fair trade

“I believe that free but fair trade isan absolute imperative”– John E. JamesFor two countries bound by geography, history and deep economic ties, periods of diplomatic strain serve neither side well. President Duma Boko’s efforts to restore momentum to relations with Pretoria deserve recognition, particularly at a time when Southern Africa faces shared challenges ranging from sluggish economic growth and unemployment to energy security...

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