Performance Assessment Framework – COMESA Aid For Trade (COMAid)

The objective of RISM has largely remained the same from inception to what is now called, the RISM consolidation, that is funded under the 10^th EDF. The main extension has been to encompass the COMESA EAC and SADC Tripartite arrangement. Therefore, the programmes objective is to support Member Countries to participate fully in the COMESA, EAC and Tripartite free trade areas and COMESA and EAC customs unions and common markets with minimum disruption to public expenditure commitments, as well as to enable them to implement economic reform programmes in the context of regional integration.

The programme has evolved from purely providing revenue loss support under the original programme, to a combination of revenue loss support and support for improved implementation of regional commitments. Its expected result is to increase, substantially, the effective transposition and implementation of COMESA/EAC Regional Integration Policies, Regulations and Programmes (the “Regional Integration Commitments”) at national level.

The results are best understood through the Regional Integration Commitments that are outlined in the logical framework of the programme and further detailed in what is known as the Performance Assessment Framework (PAF). The PAF outlines regional level targets as well definitions of the targets and what their achievement entails. It also allows for the provision of national level baselines and what a country aims to achieve as well as guidance on the assessment process which then determines the overall percentage achievements against which final allocations are made.

The Regional Integration Commitments have become known as the RISM indicators. Table ** below summarises the RISM indicators, mapping the intervention areas to the priority areas of the MTSP.

*Priority Area VI: Institutional Development*
Intervention Area	Expected Outcome to delete column?	Indicator
A. Sustainable Monitoring and Reporting Mechanisms at National Level	National mechanism for drafting, monitoring and reporting on implementation of commitments operational by 2016	(1). National Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (NIMCC) officially constituted and operational in accordance with adopted COMESA/EAC TOR
	National statistical systems harmonized and functional by 2016	(2). Selected regionally agreed harmonized statistical clusters (HSC) (or frameworks) for the production of national statistics implemented
*Priority Area I: Removing Barriers to Factor Mobility*
Intervention Area	Expected Outcome	Indicator
B. Consolidate the internal market (Free Trade Area (FTA))	At least 2 additional Member States implement the COMESA FTA, by 2016	(3). Implementation of COMESA Free Trade Area (FTA)
	Trade facilitation steps and measures to eliminate barriers to trade (Standards, SPS, NTBs, etc) undertaken by Member States by 2015	(4). At least 70% of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) resolved by Member State per year
		(5). Number of COMESA and/or EAC harmonized standards adopted by each Member State per year.
C. Remove Barriers to Trade and Business	Institutional and policy barriers to trade and business developed	(6). Key elements of the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) implemented
	Performance in trading across borders improved by Member States by 2016	(7). Documents to export (number): reduction in the total number of documents to export a consignment (as captured in the EODB framework)
		(8). Documents to import (number): reduction in the total number of documents to import a consignment (EODB framework)
D. Operationalize the Custom Union	Customs Union provisions adopted by Member States by 2016	(9). COMESA Common Tariff Nomenclature (CTN) adopted by Member States
		(10). COMESA Customs Management Regulations (CMR) adopted by Member States
		(11). Final schedule of commitments in 7 key priority services (communications, transport, financial services, tourism, energy, business and construction and related engineering services) are submitted to COMESA and confirmed by COMESA;
E. Launch of the Common Market	Provisions of the instruments on Gradual relaxation and eventual elimination of visa requirements implemented Member States by 2016	(12). Provisions of the protocol on gradual relaxation and eventual elimination of visa requirement implemented
*Priority Area II: Building Productive Capacity for Global Competitiveness*
Intervention Area	Expected Outcome	Indicator
F. Common Competition Policy	Common Competition Regulations domesticated by Member States by 2015	(13). COMESA Competition Regulations (CCR) adopted
G. Foreign Direct Investment, Cross-Border Investment and Domestic Investments	Common Investment Area Agreement signed and ratified by Member States by 2016	(14). COMESA Common Investment Area (CCIA) Agreement is signed and ratified
	Double Taxation Model applied by Member States by 2016	(15). Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) negotiated, signed and ratified among COMESA Member States
*Priority Area III: Addressing Supply Side Constraints Related to Infrastructure*
Intervention Area	Expected Outcome	Indicator
H. Transport Facilitation Instrument	Transit Transport Facilitation Instruments implemented by Member States by 2016	(16). Harmonized Road Transport Charges (HRTC) implemented.
		(17). Harmonized Axle Load Limits (ALL) implemented.
		(18). COMESA Harmonized Vehicle Dimensions (HVD) implemented.
		(19). COMESA Carrier License (CCL) implemented.
		(20). Yellow card adopted and used where applicable.
	Member States liberalize air transport services by complying with COMESA Legal Notice No.2 of 1999 as a basis liberalizing air transport services, by 2016	(21). Air transport liberalization in compliance with COMESA legal notice No.2 of 1999.