ABOUT RATES
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Program Description
"The way forward to building a food secure region is increasing the value and volume of agricultural trade within the East and Southern Africa region and globally. It is important to find ways of harmonizing agricultural trade policies, regulations and procedures in order to produce an environment for increased trade and to assist traders to take advantage of these opportunities to increase trade in the region."
- Stephen Walls
Chief of Party
for the RATES Program |
The Regional Agriculture Trade Expansion Support (RATES) program is designed to increase value/volume of agricultural trade within the East and Southern Africa region and between the region and the rest of the world. RATES focuses on developing commodity-specific regional trade initiatives through innovative private sector/public sector alliances and partnerships and works primarily through regional trade flow leaders such as regional trade associations, national-level trade organizations, private companies and individual entrepreneurs. RATES is currently supporting activities in specialty coffee, maize and pulses, cotton/textiles, livestock and dairy. Through policy advocacy, lobbying, public relations and marketing, RATES is developing a regional dialogue regarding trade issues in East and Southern Africa.
Through the RATES Center, a Nairobi based regional trade center, the program will support partner organizations and other trade institutions to improve regional capacity to move commodities across borders and internationally to have a direct impact on improving regional food security.
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Expand and sustain regional agricultural trade flows through strengthened human and institutional capacities by
- Expanding agricultural trade in selected sub-sectors
- Increasing institutional capacity to sustain agricultural trade
- Expanding private sector contribution to regional trade initiatives
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- Over all result of 35% increase in volume/value of trade in selected commodities over the next 5 years.
- Agricultural trade policies, regulations and procedures are harmonized, creating an environment enabling increased trade
- An efficient regional market information and intelligence system is created
- Commodity traders can advocate trade policies and are networked to take advantage of trading opportunities
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A portion of the RATES budget (2.5 million dollars) has been designated as a Partners Fund. This fund will provide a mix of grants, subcontracts, and purchase orders, primarily awarded through an RFP/RFA-based process, to local associations and firms to implement elements of RATES Center and Satellite activities.
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 Chemonics International Inc. Since 1990, has managed more than 20 regional programs, including12 based in Africa. The Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) indefinite quantity contract (IQC) covers 17 sub-Saharan countries, and the Regional Activities to Promote Integration through Dialogue and Policy Implementation (RAPID) IQC, based in Botswana, covers 14 countries in Southern Africa.
International Technology Investment Ltd. (ITI) has expertise in international business development services (BDS) working with private and public sector to build capacity and devise strategies for business associations and trade organizations.
Integrated Development Consultants (IDC) has access to network of trade firms and trade-related technical working groups spanning Eastern and Central Africa. Expertise includes trade, finance, private sector assessment, and community development and training.
Computer Frontiers Inc. (CFI) provides information technology (IT) services in communication outreach, IT program design and management, training, IT business integration, and trade facilitation.
Independent Management Consulting Services (IMCS) has experience and expertise in inter-regional trade in the COMESA and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) providing financial advisory services, economic policy research, and business market appraisal in small business development, commodity trading, food security, and agro-processing.
The Imani Development Group (Imani) has experience Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and provides high-quality economic policy, trade, and agricultural development consulting services in six country office locations.
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