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Harare - The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has urged member countries to resist protectionism and get trade moving again.
In its latest report entitled Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB), released this week, the WTO said there was a significant increase in trade-restrictive measures that were initiated by member countries.
The report shows that 22 new trade-restrictive measures were initiated by WTO members per month during the mid-October 2015 to mid-May 2016 review period.
"This constitutes a significant increase compared to the previous review period, which recorded an average of 15 measures per month, and is the highest monthly average since 2011," said the report.
"The stockpile of trade-restrictive measures in place grew by 11% during the review period," it added.
“In the current environment, a rise in trade restrictions is the last thing the global economy needs.
"This increase could have a further chilling effect on trade flows, with knock-on effects for economic growth and job creation,” said Director-General Roberto Azevêdo.
A total of 132 measures aimed at facilitating trade were, however, taken during the review period, amounting to 19 measures per month.
"Although this shows a slight increase compared to the previous review period, the figure is lower than the recorded monthly average of trade-restrictive measures," said the report.
The report comes at a time a delegation from the South African Department of Trade and Industry visited Zimbabwe last Wednesday to discuss the recent import restrictions implemented by the Zimbabwean government.
Early this month, Zimbabwe removed many products from the Open General Import Licence, saying importation of such products would now require permits.
The move has unnerved the South African government and its Department of Trade and Industry has warned that such restrictions would have negative implications on intra-regional trade.
