Merchandise trade among SADC member states has been steadily increasing since 2008, according to official figures. Intra-SADC exports as a percentage of total exports of goods increased from 15.2% in 2008 to reach 19.5% in 2018 whilst that of imports increased from 17.5% to 19.1% during the same period. According to the figures, the intra-SADC share of the region’s total trade has been increasing constantly but marginally over the past decade. In 2018, intra-SADC imports and exports were worth around $72.6 billion. Total SADC exports of goods outside of the trading bloc stood at about $154 billion, which is a positive balance over the value of imports at $149 billion. According to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has the highest cost of exporting and importing, followed by Tanzania and then South Africa. At 488 hours, export cargo is likely to take longest to clear in the DRC, followed by Angola at 260 hours. Importers are most likely to pay demurrage in Tanzania at 642 hours, followed by the DRC on 510 hours.
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