At the 2024 GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference held on August 23 in Cape Town , Martin Cameron , the managing director of Trade Research Advisory at North-West University , shared insights on reducing trade barriers within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ).
ASSOCIATIONS
Exploring ‘ realistic ’ ImEx opportunities for cold chain trade within AfCFTA Compiled by Eamonn Ryan from the presentation
At the 2024 GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference held on August 23 in Cape Town , Martin Cameron , the managing director of Trade Research Advisory at North-West University , shared insights on reducing trade barriers within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ).
His presentation on trade on the African continent was titled ‘ Realistic opportunities for imports and exports of perishables ’. He emphasised the importance of data-driven decision-making in trade , especially in the context of Africa ' s unique challenges and opportunities .
Cameron opened with a discussion about the human tendency to operate on ‘ automatic mode ’ when analysing facts and making business decisions . He pointed out that this automatic thinking can lead to misjudgments in strategy , urging attendees to consciously shift into a more analytical mindset when evaluating opportunities .
Cameron stressed a crucial principle : " If you Delegates at the conference . don ' t have the data , you only have an opinion ." This statement resonates deeply in the context of African trade , where data availability can be inconsistent . To illustrate his point , he referenced a comprehensive data source called CEPII BAKI data , which consolidates global trade data for over 5 000 products across most economies . This dataset is notable for its reconciliation process , ensuring that trade transactions are accurately reflected in both exporting and importing countries .
He explained the significance of this data : " In the international trade environment , statistics can be challenging , but having something closer to the truth is better than relying solely on gut feelings ." He shared The 2024 GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference held on August 23 in Cape Town .
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“ In Africa , the relationship between infrastructure and business activity is cyclical .”
6 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • January / February 2025