Mondher Mimouni, Chief of Trade and Market Intelligence at the International Trade Centre, is leading programmes on transparency in trade, competitive Intelligence and non-tariff barriers. He has built several web applications to improve trade transparency and assess the export performance and competitiveness of countries. Mr Mimouni has also contributed to a variety of joint market analysis projects of the ITC, UNCTAD, WTO and the World Economic Forum. Mr Mimouni holds an M.Phil. equivalent in Development Economics from the Economic University of Montpellier, and an MS in Agricultural Policy and Development Administration from the CIHEAM-Montpellier.
For the African continental free trade area to become fully operational, it is essential for the 54 signatory countries to reach agreement on harmonisation of rules of origins – the ‘Made in Africa’ criteria to ensure that only bona fide African products will benefit from tariff concessions. This column reports on progress and the remaining challenges.