The primary objective of this “Stakeholders Forum” – that is, initiating dialogue for developing trade linkages and cooperation, which have not been fully explored, between the Eastern, Southern and West African regions is fully consonant with the ideals of the PACRM. By bringing together all the key players in each region to deliberate regional trade expansion and develop synergies in programmes and activities in order to build a strong base for cooperation covering the entire spectrum of activities along the cotton value chain in Africa, this meeting is a precursor of the potential advantages of the PARCM. And ACTIF must be congratulated for this foresight in wittingly or unwittingly demonstrating the huge advantages that could be garnered by Africa from an effective continental collaboration in addressing the issues plaguing the cotton sector in all the sub-regions.
Samuel K. Gayi, Head Special Unit on Commodities (SUC) UNCTAD said it all started in Geneva in December 2008 as an UNCTAD Secretary-General#
Enunciating and implementing the PARCM has been a “long road” travelled so far, but hopefully a successful completion of on-going discussions with the AU/NEPAD on the modalities by which the PACRM will be incorporated into the National and Regional Agricultural Investment Programmes (NAIPs and RAIPs) and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) should bring into sharp relief that light at the end of the tunnel. In a parody of Jimmy Cliff’s 1969 song “Hard road to travel”, we can say that, as continent, our mind is made up, we’ll never stop; our faith will see us through!
African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF)
marketing@alchempro.com
