Sub-regional policy dialogue should be started immediately. Ideally, imports and exports of food should be decontrolled, unnecessary regulatory impediments to trade should be abolished and grain prices should be market determined. Trade would be greatly facilitated if currencies were harmonised at market rates. The need to develop trading and documentation skills was highlighted. Given the complexity of international transactions proper contracts are of the utmost importance and national legal services must be capable of rapid resolution of disputes.
Traders require a thorough knowledge of terminology and logistical arrangements.
The necessity for clearly understood quality standards for sub-regional trade was also stressed, as was the requirement for harmonisation of phytosanitary regulations and their effective enforcement. The role of international grain trading houses was highlighted. The Workshop noted that such companies were presently playing an important role by financing trade at a time when local traders find it difficult to obtain finance. They could also contribute to improving quality and addressing logistical inefficiencies. However, care needed to be taken to ensure that such companies did not monopolise markets.