The report authored by experts Benedict Musengele and Jane Kibiru states: "The relaxation of the free movement of essential goods in the region will enhance their production and boost intra-Comesa trade during this pandemic period."
According to an International Trade Centre report (ITC, 2020), some of these countries, UK, US, China and India have imposed export restrictions in some pharmaceutical products, which may affect their importation, yet these are critical in the fight against Covid-19.
"This shows that pharmaceuticals are a major intra-COMESA export hence the need to facilitate its cross- border trade during this pandemic period," the COMESA researchers note in the report.
Responding to the findings of the Comesa report, Uganda's economist Dr Susan Kavuma, who is also a lecturer at the school of Economics at Makerere University said: "Trade is not only the measure to reboot the regional economies but it is a welcome move and I support it because if you are not trading you cannot earn."
In addition, the region has to diversify markets for Comesa imports and exports to reduce dependency on few countries, identify and provide incentives to manufacturing companies with capacity to produce Covid-19 essential products and facilitate their trade in the region.
