An economic partnership agreement between the United Kingdom and the Southern African Customs Union, and Mozambique has been signed. The agreement is expected to allow trading without any hindrance even after the UK leaves the European Union which is scheduled for 31 October. This means that trade between the UK and South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini and Mozambique will continue on preferential terms. UK Trade Minister Liz Truss said: “This is a major milestone as the UK prepares to become an independent trading nation once again, and we are helping businesses get ready to trade with the most exciting markets around the world.”
Speaking about the development, South Africa’s Trade Minister Ebrahim Patel said the deal would give the southern African states a soft landing in case of a no-deal Brexit. With bilateral trade touching $9.5 billion in 2018,the UK is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners,
