Trade adviser Viola Sawere

TRADE adviser Viola Sawere has called on Southern African Development Community (Sadc) member States to work towards harmonising mutual recognition agreements (MRAs), arguing that the arrangement provides legal certainty for recognition, reduces costs and, therefore, promotes ease of doing business.

Sawere made the remarks during the four-day International Organisation for Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa held under the theme Promoting Regional Integration Through Sustaining Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration in southern Africa in Victoria Falls recently.

She called for a tripartite dialogue (trade, immigration and labour officials) involving the structures established under the Sadc Protocols on Trade in Services.

“MRAs provide legal certainty for recognition, reduce costs and quicken processing of applications for membership,” Sawere said, adding that the agreement set criteria and procedures for checking academic and professional backgrounds.

“Increase market access and competitiveness among professionals, promote regulatory harmonisation and co-operation for professional development.”

Sawere said the agreements enhanced employment opportunities and facilitation of movement of persons.

She advised that the starting point should be the prioritisation of the transport sector to facilitate trade along Sadc economic corridors.

“Consider cross-border movement of drivers and construction professionals. High support and participation by professional regulatory bodies and trade officials capitalising on the momentum gained in the developing Sadc MRAs for professional services — an indication in favour of promoting professional skills,” she said.

Sawere said the effective implementation of MRAs required supportive labour and immigration policies and laws.

The regional body focuses on the regional consultative process on migration in collaboration with regional or multi-stakeholder organisations in the Sadc region.