18
AFRICA
’
S SILK ROAD
:
CHINA
AND INDIA’
S NEW ECONOMIC FRONTIER
(FTAs) are currently in effect between Asian and African countries, but several are either under negotiation or have been proposed these include a China–South
Africa FTA, an India-Mauritius economic cooperation and partnership agreement, and an India-SACU (Southern Africa Customs
Union) FTA.
The fashioning of the emerging spaghetti bowl of regional trade agreements
among African countries, while perhaps being done with good intentions, in practice is not having demonstrable salutary effects see figure. Many Chinese and Indian investors—not to mention African and other foreign investors—find them at best,
ineffective, or at worst, confusing, and not conducive to attracting international commerce.
FIGURE 9
The Spaghetti Bowl of African Regional Trade Agreements is Not InvestorFriendlyAlgeria
Morocco
Mauritania
Tunisia
AMUGhana
Nigeria
Cape Verde
The Gambia
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