Advanced Trade Analysis Course: Regional Integration and Trade Performance

The successful and rapid progression of the Eastern and Southern African integration process needs to be underpinned by comprehensive expertise from the region, including government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and academics. Regional integration has become increasingly important and affects many countries worldwide. The importance of regional integration for Eastern and Southern African states is emphasised by the announcement of the implementation of the COMESA Customs Union in 2008, the SADC FTA in 2008 and the SADC Customs Union in 2010. Furthermore, member states of both regional economic integration groups are expected to conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU in less than four months' time.

These developments reflect a growing need to understand the impact of these integration processes and the ability to analyse the likely outcome of these agreements. As part of TIPS' responsibilities in the region, we once again offer an advanced trade analysis course on regional integration and trade performance. 

The course will cover both qualitative and quantitative material in the areas of regional integration and trade performance indicators.

Regional integration issues to be discussed include the following, amongst others:

•  Global proliferation of regional integration,
•  Is regional integration logical?
•  Regional integration in Southern and Eastern Africa
•  EPA processes

Trade performance indicators will include trade data, data problems and analysis, growth rates, identification of dynamic products, export diversification and changes in global demand.

The objective of the course is to strengthen the knowledge and analytical capacity of policy-makers, academics and researchers in the area of regional integration, with a comparative focus on Eastern and Southern Africa. The course will attempt to assess regional integration from a broader perspective and encouraging participants to hone their expertise and research skills in these fields.

The course will include hands-on exercises where the theory is applied using relevant economic country data. Requirements for the course include intermediate Excel skills and academic experience in Economic and/or Trade Studies, as well as two years' working experience in these fields.

You are therefore requested to email or fax a brief Curriculum Vitae as well as a short exposition (one to two pages) of your interest in regional integration, trade liberalisation and/or EPAs to Mmatlou Kalaba at Mmatlou@tips.org.za / +27 12 431 9710 by 24 September 2007.

Selected participants for this course will be informed via e-mail by 26 September 2007. Flight and accommodation details will also be made available at this time.