Coronavirus prompts dip in China, COMESA trade: Bloc chief

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Chinese imports from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) fell from $11.2 billion to $9.5 billion between 2019 and 2020, the group’s head Chileshe Kapwepwe said Wednesday.

The fall in trade is attributed to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Kapwepwe, who said COMESA imports from China also declined from $35 billion to $26 billion during that time.

China was ranked as the region's third-largest export destination market in 2020, Kapwepwe said in the Zambian capital of Lusaka where the bloc is headquartered, as she received letters of credence from the new Chinese Ambassador to the Southern African nation, Du Xiaohui.

Kapwepwe said COMESA and China had a long history of partnership and cordial relations.

Du said China attached importance to cooperation with COMESA and other African sub-regional organizations.

He commended COMESA for promoting regional-economic integration and friendly cooperation with member-states.