SACU
Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU)
Although RTFP maintains good relations with SACU, and responds to requests for support from time to time from the world’s oldest Customs Union, there has not been a programme of comprehensive activities.
As an example of the kind of support which has been given, the new SACU Agreement provided for the setting up a SACU Tariff Board by 2008 and consequently the Secretariat held a workshop in April 2007 to develop a roadmap. At the request of SACU, Professor Colin McCarthy, financed by RTFP, attended the workshop making recommendations for the preparation of the administrative instruments necessary for the establishment of the SACU Tariff Board.
He produced a report which looked at the constraints associated with setting up the Tariff Board; procedures for appointment of the Board members; the independence, policy guidelines and training for the Board; institutional arrangements and activities as well as the likely problems which could be expected at the start of operations. Other work on the revenue-sharing formula was also financed.