The import bans imposed by Botswana and Namibia on agriculture produce from South Africa is being addressed through both the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) institutions and bilaterally. SACU as a customs union promotes free flow of goods among SACU Members (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa).
Botswana and South Africa have met at the Ministerial level and a follow-up meeting to find a solution is envisaged no later than February 2025 with the new Administration. Such an engagement is expected to include the Ministers of Trade and Industry and Ministers of Agriculture from both sides. The meeting is to consider practical ways to cooperate on horticultural products and thereby resolve the issue of the import bans and restrictions. Similar engagements with Namibia will also follow.
South Africa will also work with the two countries to discuss industrial cooperation, including in relation to agriculture and this is expected to promote regional industrial development on the basis of complementarities. In addition, the SACU Council of Ministers has agreed to prioritise the development of regional value chains that will enhance productivity in the SACU Agreement. This is expected to promote predictability in trade within the Union and reduce the risk of trade restrictions among Members.
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