Intra-regional trade - CEDEAO
One of the main objectives of ECOWAS (according to Article 3 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty) is to promote the economic integration of the region by creating, among others, a common market. The instrument created for this purpose is the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).
The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) is a tool for the effective implementation of the free trade area. The ETLS mechanism ensures the free movement of goods originating from ECOWAS without the payment of customs duties and taxes of equivalent effect on importation into the ECOWAS space (this exemption does not include Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise duties if they are in force in one of the Member States).
The Ministry of Regional Integration and Abroad Ivorians is the focal point for any Ivorian company wishing to join the ECOWAS Trade Liberation Scheme (ETLS) – Cf. http://www.etls.ecowas.int/fr/le-contact-de-point-focal/
As part of the export procedure, the Ministry in charge of Industry is responsible for issuing Certificates of Origin, including the ECOWAS Certificate of Origin for industrial products – Cf. http://www.commerce.gouv.ci/