CSOs play an important role in national trade policy making according to the document. The Cotonou Partnership Agreement recognizes the role of CSOs and requires that they be informed, consulted, and involved in cooperation policies and strategies. It also provides financial resources and capacity building support to help CSOs engage in the policy process. The key strategies CSOs use to influence trade policy include research, advocacy, capacity building, and awareness raising. The document also notes that while the private sector plays an advisory role, CSOs play a major role in shaping the trade policy process and ensuring transparency.

1. THE ROLE OF CSOs IN NATIONAL TRADE POLICY MAKING PROCESS CUTS – FEATS Workshop Cresta Golf View Hotel, Lusaka October 20, 2008 Saul Banda, Jr.

2. KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN TRADE POLICY MAKING PROCESS Government (MCTI, MoFNP, MACO) Private Sector (ZAM, ZACCI, ZACSMBA, PSDA, CBAZ) Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) CSOs (CSTNZ, JCTR, CUTS, ODCMT)

3. CSOs IN TRADE POLICY MAKING PROCESS Established voluntarily by citizens seeking to promote their concerns, values or identities Organised around the promotion of an issue or the interests of a particular section of society Autonomous from the state Do not aim at optimising profits

4. RECOGNOTION OF CSOs IN TRADE POLICY MAKING Cotonou Partnership Agreement recognises (a) state which includes local, national and regional and (b) non-state actors which include the private sector, economic and social partners CPA chapter two specifically recognises the role of CSOs ACP countries have with the agreement recognised the complimentary role of CSOs and their contributions to the development process

5. According to the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, the non state actors …….. “ shall where appropriate be informed and involved in consultation on cooperation’s policies and strategies, on priorities for cooperation especially in areas that concerns or directly affect them and on political dialogue” Be provided with financial resources, under the conditions laid down in this agreement in order to support local development processes

6. Be involved in the implementations of cooperation project and programmes in areas that concern them or where these actors have comparative advantage Be provided with capacity building in support in critical areas in order to reinforce the capability of there actors

7. CSO STRATEGIES TO INFLUENCE TRADE POLICY MAKING Research and Policy Analysis Lobby and advocacy Capacity building Awareness raising, sensitisation and mass mobilisation

8. ROLES DO THESE STAKEHOLDERS PLAY IN THE TRADE POLICY MAKING PROCES The private sector plays an advisory role and can also play a major influencial role CSOs play a major role of shaping the process and ensuring that there is transparency through out the process of trade policy formulation and implementation as well as ensuring that many people contribute to the process