THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Question 443
Mr T D Harris (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
Whether he intends inviting members of the National Assemblyâs
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry to attend the âtripartite
summitâ of the Southern African Development Community, the East
African Community and the Common Market of East and Southern Africa;
if not, what will the role of Parliament be in the process leading to
the establishment of a Grand Free Trade Area for Africa; if so, what
are the relevant details? NW474E
Response:
A Summit by definition, is a meeting of Heads of State. If a request is
made by the Portfolio Committee for some members to attend part of the
proceedings, we will forward this for consideration.
Parliament will play an important role in the process of establishing the
envisioned Tripartite Free Trade Area (T-FTA) between SADC, EAC and COMESA.
The Department of Trade and Industry is ready to brief the relevant
Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on the preparatory process we have
undertaken and the broad principles and approach we propose for the
negotiations. We are also ready to regularly update Parliament as required,
and to take into account any advice or guidance Parliament would offer.
Of course, at the end of the negotiating process, Parliament will need to
assess the outcome prior to ratification and entry into force of the
envisioned Agreement.