Common Market | SADC (2024)

Target

A Common Market is an agreement between two or more countries removing all trade barriers between themselves, establishing common tariff and non-tariff barriers for importers, and also allowing for the free movement of labour, capital and services between themselves.

The SADC Common Market is one of the primary goals of SADC in the area of Trade, Economic Liberalisation and Development and it is projected that the region will reach this milestone by 2015. Prior to reaching this milestone, SADC must establish a Customs Union, which was projected for completion by 2010.

Each of the Trade, Economic Liberalisation and Development milestones is intended to bring the SADC region closer to a Common Market, which in turn is hoped will enhance industrial development and increase competitiveness across all sectors.

Results

Despite current delays in reaching the preceding milestones, SADC is working hard to overcome the challenges presented by the Customs Union, with the long-term goal of establishing a Common Market.

Challenges

SADC is currently faced with two major challenges as the levels of integration move from the Free Trade Area, through Customs Union and on towards a Common Market:

  • Addressing the conflicts that may arise from attempting to service obligations from membership in multiple regional and international bodies, such as customs unions and common markets.
  • Development of policies and strategies that are targeted at supporting vulnerable groups, rural and urban poor, small businesses, informal operators and women.

Rules of Origin

The Rules of Origin are the criteria used to determine the national source of a product. Governments practices different methods for determining Rules of Origin. Some apply the criterion of change of tariff classification, others the criterion of percentage value added, and others the criterion of manufacturing or processing operation.

In a globalising world it is becoming increasingly important that harmonisation is achieved on these practices by SADC Member States, in order to introduce consistency.

Common Market | SADC (2024)

FAQs

Common Market | SADC? ›

A Common Market is an agreement between two or more countries removing all trade barriers between themselves, establishing common tariff and non-tariff barriers for importers, and also allowing for the free movement of labour, capital and services between themselves.

What do you mean by common market? ›

What is a Common Market? A common market is a formal agreement where a group is formed amongst several countries that adopt a common external tariff. In a common market, countries also allow free trade and free movement of labor and capital among the members of the group.

What is the difference between customs union and common market? ›

In a customs union, member states coordinate their customs policies and apply the same import and export duties on goods coming from outside the union. Unlike a common market, a customs union does not require the free movement of goods, services, capital, or labor among member countries.

Does the US have a common market? ›

The United States Constitution commits the United States to a common market system, yet, unfortunately, the nature and scope of the American common market have been incompletely — and, at times, inconsistently — described by the U.S. Supreme Court.

What is the common market in Africa? ›

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is the largest regional economic organization in Africa, with 19 member states and a population of about 390 million. COMESA has a free trade area, with 19 member states, and launched a customs union in 2009. COMESA countries include: Burundi.

What is the common market now called? ›

In 1993 the three communities were subsumed under the European Union (EU). The EC, or Common Market, then became the principal component of the EU.

What was the point of having a common market? ›

The common market aimed to create in Europe a huge geographical area with a common economic policy, which, by merging national markets, could eliminate wastage of resources. The removal of obstacles to free competition and the promise of new sales outlets would enable production to be increased.

What are the disadvantages of a common market? ›

Disadvantages. A common market contract is less profitable if you're selling products in shortage, and could cost more money if you're buying products in surplus. A big disadvantage is that a common market is not as automated as it seems.

What are the two goals of common markets? ›

to achieve a single market production base; 2. to build a competitive economic region; 3.

What is the difference between a common market and a FTA? ›

The main difference between a CM and a FTA is the degree of integration and cooperation among the members. A CM involves a deeper and broader integration than a FTA, as it requires not only the removal of trade barriers, but also the adoption of common policies and standards, and the facilitation of factor mobility.

What is the largest common market? ›

The European Union is one of the most outward-oriented economies in the world. It is also the world's largest single market area.

What is another name for a common market? ›

What is another word for Common Market?
open marketbazaar
exchangefair
marketplacecommerce center
flea markettrading center
trading postfree port
2 more rows

What is the largest common market agreement in the Americas? ›

The NAFTA trade bloc formed one of the largest trade blocs in the world by gross domestic product.

What is the world's largest free trade area? ›

1. Sheer Size: The AfCFTA will be world's largest free trade area in terms of number of member countries, territory, and population. It connects 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at US$3.4 trillion.

What is an example of a common market? ›

The East African Community (EAC): EAC is a common market that includes Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The EAC aims to promote the free movement of goods, services, labor and capital among its member countries and also aims to establish a single customs area and a common market.

What is the difference between a custom union and a common market? ›

A customs union creates a greater degree of integration through a common tariff on nonmembers, and a common market adds to these arrangements by allowing the free movement of capital and labour.

What are some examples of common markets? ›

Here are some examples of common markets in the global economy:
  • The European Union (EU): The EU is a common market that includes 27 member countries in Europe. ...
  • The Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR): MERCOSUR is a common market that includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Jan 15, 2023

What is the common definition of market? ›

Definition: A market is defined as the sum total of all the buyers and sellers in the area or region under consideration. The area may be the earth, or countries, regions, states, or cities. The value, cost and price of items traded are as per forces of supply and demand in a market.

What is the difference between a common market and a single market? ›

The Single Market allows the unrestricted movement of goods, services, capital, and people throughout the territory (also called a bloc). The European Single Market, originally known as the Common Market, has its foundations in the former European Economic Community (EEC), established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957.

What are common markets also called? ›

A single market, sometimes called common market or internal market, is a type of trade bloc in which most trade barriers have been removed (for goods) with some common policies on product regulation, and freedom of movement of the factors of production (capital and labour) and of enterprise and services.

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