<\/p>\n
Africa is well on its way to creating the world’s largest single-free trade area, with 1.3 billion people and a gross domestic product (GDP) of $3.4 trillion.<\/p>\n
South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile told delegates attending the 9th BRICS Parliamentary Forum that the continent was well on its way moving towards a single African market as all 54 countries have signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.<\/p>\n
The 9th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Parliamentary Forum is taking place at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg this week.<\/p>\n
Mashatile officially opened the Forum and addressed parliamentarians from the BRICS nations, including Egypt, Iran and United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n
Mashatile said the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area will improve intra-African trade, the continent\u2019s share and participation in global trade, stimulate and improve the economy, as well as contribute to lifting millions of people out of poverty.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe continent’s transport networks are largely unsatisfactory. Few roads connect the continent’s five regions, and those that do are often in poor condition and under-maintained.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a continent, we look forward to engaging with our BRICS partners to realise the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and thus create a win-win solution for all,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mashatile encouraged the BRICS parliamentarians to seize the opportunity to strengthen the BRICS-Africa partnership and \u201cpromote a rules-based approach towards a just global order\u201d.<\/p>\n
kailene.pillay@inl.co.za<\/p>\n
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