Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

The Preferential Trade Area (PTA) of Eastern and Southern African States is a relatively new economic grouping of states that is designed to foster sub-regional cooperation and integration. This paper discusses the strategy that lies behind the establishment of the PTA, provides an overview of sub-regional trade and obstacles to trade before the formation of the PTA, describes the progress of the PTA since it became operational in July, 1984, and assesses that progress and the problems that have been encountered. While there are many aspects of the PTA, including industrial and agricultural cooperation, this paper focuses primarily on sub-regional trade and trade-related issues.