Swazi Observer

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ESWATINI NOT FULLY UTILISING EPA BENEFITS - SADC

By NOKUNCEDA MAGAGULA | 2025-01-28

A narrow export base and lack of competitiveness have been identified as two of the challenges faced by Eswatini in fully utilising benefits of the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

This was stated by SADC Secretariat representative Hildah Moleofe, who spoke on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Elias Mpedi Magosi, during the five-day national training workshop on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures.

The workshop was facilitated by the secretariat through the EU-SADC Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) and was attended by various stakeholders who trade under the EPA agreement.

Moleofe added that limited information about the EU market, along with inadequate and inappropriate quality and standards infrastructure and technology, also contributes to the difficulties.

She explained that these challenges were identified during a consultancy service commissioned by the secretariat in August 2022, which conducted a Needs Assessment of SPS capacity to implement food safety systems within the SADC EPA States.

The assessment identified priority SPS gaps and necessary capacity-building activities aimed at improving the performance of the food sector, particularly to enhance trade between SADC EPA States and the EU.

She said survey data indicated that Eswatini exported to at least 12 EU member States, with products including beef, avocados, citrus fruits, and sugar.
Moleofe stated that the training sessions were meant to enhance the capacity of the SADC EPA

States to better understand and implement food safety principles, ultimately improving trade with the EU.

“It also aims to promote general awareness of sanitary and phytosanitary requirements and propose an implementation plan for each Member State on SPS measures,” she said.
importance

Moleofe emphasised the importance of the EU as a market for SADC EPA States, as it granted 100 per cent duty-free and quota-free access to all goods from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Namibia.

She also mentioned that the EU had removed tariffs on 98.7 per cent of goods imported from South Africa, with tariff rate quotas for selected products.

“However, despite this tariff liberalisation, the SADC EPA States still find it difficult to export agricultural products into the EU market,” she said. Moleofe stated that one of the reasons for this difficulty was non-compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, which were the basic rules on food safety and animal and plant health standards that governments are required to follow in accordance with the WTO Agreement on the Application of SPS Measures.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Principal secretary (PS) Melusi Masuku and Director of International Trade Lungile Dlamini stated that the study commissioned by the Secretariat highlighted the need for targeted capacity-building programmes to address specific SPS challenges at the national level.

They noted that the overarching objective of the workshop was to enhance intra-regional trade, particularly between SADC EPA member states and the European Union, through improved compliance with SPS standards.

“By fortifying our food control systems, we position ourselves to capitalise on the opportunities presented by food export markets in the EU and beyond,” Dlamini said.

She explained that during the workshop, participants would engage in rigorous training sessions designed to equip them with the knowledge and competencies necessary to meet the set standards.

Dlmini said the workshop not only aims to foster greater adherence to SPS measures but also aligns with Eswatini’s shared vision of advancing trade and economic growth across the region.

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