Comments on: Commonwealth: It’s time to talk trade

By: Duane Jones

Duane Jones — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:05:10 +0000

The commonwalth as a trading bloc would equal the USA in size, other nations could and no doubt would have trade agreements within this structure, they could not ignore the bloc its size is to big and diverse, remember that the USA is in theory allowed to join the commonwealth as are a number of others such as Ireland, who needs Europe!.
Its time UK polititians stopped and thought seriously before the UK is too late

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:02:40 +0000

A free trade area/agreement is esential for the Commonwealth to move forward in the 21st century.

By: Deus Tusubira

Deus Tusubira — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:25:13 +0000

Interesting possibilities. because there so many geographically determined blocs. the commonwealth bloc may not succeed in a short period, it might take a very long time

By: Cutters

Cutters — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:30:21 +0000

I would be very much pro this if it included an incentive for sharing technical and scientific information as well.

(feel Ive joined the party a bit late)

By: Brent Cameron

Brent Cameron — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:46:58 +0000

Further to that idea, a Facebook group has now been established.

While I am not able to post a link from where I am right now, if you are a Facebook user, go to the groups section and query “Commonwealth Free Trade Association”, and please consider joining.

By: RFLowings

RFLowings — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:38:03 +0000

As would I. Free trade would be extremely beneficial to all member states.

Could there be a possibility for introducing a single trading currency? This would be good for Fair trade as well – it would mean that developing member states are able to get a decent price for their goods – so many times International Trade is rendered irrelevant by an exchange rate which renders costs disproportionate to actual value. The Commonwealth could set the example for the world – not a back-scratching exercise like the Euro, but a lubricant for trade between both MADCs and LEDCs.

By: James Alcock

James Alcock — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:46:00 +0000

I would support that, Brent.

By: Brent Cameron

Brent Cameron — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:49:18 +0000

Following up on Jim’s post, I am curious as to whether there is interest in some sort of ad hoc group dedicated to promoting Commonwealth Free Trade.

Certainly, Facebook provides a platform for that sort of on-line organisation, and being done through grassroots means allows for a flexible approach, and a frank discussion.

Any thoughts?

By: James Alcock

James Alcock — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:03:41 +0000

My comment on this issue somehow got deleted, so I will post it again.
I think that a Commonwealth Free Trade Area should be set up among the Commonwealth’s leading economies such as the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore and Malaysia. (the whole EU should be part of it if the UK can’t join individually). Criteria should be established for joining the free trade area and more countries should be allowed to join it as they meet the criteria. It should be overseen by a permanent council and will help to really make the Commonwealth relevant again. It will help member countries to diversify their economies and it should be done now. A Commonwealth Science Council to investigate new technologies should also be established.

By: Joyce Addo-Atuah

Joyce Addo-Atuah — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:49:33 +0000

This is an interesting discussion but I would like to bring in another dimension. As it has already been rightly said, the Commonwealth is a unique organization with some special strengths, which when properly channelled, can be advantageous to its diverse member countries.

You see, the 53 member states of the Commonwealth hold about one third of the world’s population, and we have countries occupying the full developmental spectrum ie. some members among the most developed in the world, others among the least developed and some in between.

On the other hand, countries within the Commonwaelth carry a disproportionate share of the global burden of diseases like HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, which if not addressed, stand to threaten their socioeconomic development and sustainability.

The Commonwealth for example, carries about 60.5% of the global burden of HIV/AIDS. Sub-Saharan Africa is the hardest hit region; being home to 68% of both the people living with HIV/AIDS (including 88% of children) and new infections globally, as well as 76% of AIDS deaths in 2007. Additionally, 80% of the global 15 million AIDS orphans by 2007 were also living in sub-Saharan Africa.

It is therefore important that a Commonwealth-wide initiative to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS and other developmental diseases be a major priority. Why, because a healthy nation will be a more profitable trading partner within the Commonwealth. We can use our numbers and our diversity to the mutual benefit of all member states to negotiate for better prices for essential medicines for these priority diseases. We can also exchange technological skills and competencies, such as transfering technology among member countries for the local production of essential medicines as allowed by the Doha Declaration.

So what we need moving forward is a Commonwealth that will work in innovative ways to stay relevant by finding ways to meet the diverse needs of its 53 member countries.

An association which will seek to stregthen itself by supporting and assisting the weak links in the chain of its membership to at least attain a certain minimum standard of living and of health for its citizens.

Long Live the Commonwealth!!