3rd AU Symposium On Special Economic Zones and Green Industrialization
3rd AU Symposium On Special Economic Zones and Green Industrialization
Theme: “SEZs as production centers to supply the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and foster regional value chains”
What: The 3rd Symposium on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Green Industrialization. The goal for the Symposium is to Foster Regional Value-Chains and Economic Integration. It will be held virtually on Zoom.
When: 28-29 September 2020
Time: Day 1: 11:00 – 15:30 (GMT+3)
Day 2: 11:00 – 13:30 (GMT+3)
Where: Zoom virtual Platform
Who: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the African Union Commission (AUC) in partnership with GIZ.
Objectives:
- Showcase African SEZ experiences;
- Foster a dialogue among African SEZ policymakers, operators and experts and with their international counterparts;
- Explore interlinkages between SEZs and AfCFTA;
- Strengthen the capacity of participants in planning, developing and operating SEZs that contribute to green industrialization;
- To raise awareness through SEZs and tackle the challenges brought by the COVID-19 crisis.
Directorate of Information and Communication. African Union Commission E mail: dinfo@africa-union.org
Participants:
The Symposium will be attended by SEZs policy-makers, planners, developers, operators, ministries, and experts from African and other countries as well as representatives from RECs and other intergovernmental organizations, financial institutions, Civil Society Organisations, UN Agencies, academia and the private sector.
Notes to Editors:
The entering into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on 30 May 2019 provides new opportunities for SEZs as production centers to advance intra-African trade and foster regional value-chains and economic integration. At the same time, regulations on rules of origin under AfCFTA could pose challenges to the competitive advantages of some SEZs.
Finally, due to the unfortunate occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world were forced to implement strict measures to limit the spread of the virus, ranging from social distancing and closures of public spaces and offices to complete lockdowns. These measures have resulted in production stoppages and severe supply chain disruptions in most sectors, virtually complete closures of entire industries, and unprecedented demand shocks in almost all economies. SEZs were particularly affected by the pandemic, and important impacts are likely to be observed in the long term. To this aim, SEZs managers need to be both aware and prepared to face the challenges brought by the COVID-19 crisis.
Media Enquiry:
Mrs. Ron Osman Omar| Department of Trade and Industry, African Union Commission I E- mail: OmarR@africa-union.orgor Mr. Henryson Jusu E-mail: JusuH@africa-union.org
Event Documents
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