@article{MAKHILLPJSS20151237694,
    title = {The Relevance of the Simplified Trade Regime in Addressing Trade
Protectionism: Small Scale Cross Border Traders at
Chirundu One Stop Border Post},
    journal = {Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences},
    volume = {12},
    number = {3},
    pages = {10-17},
    year = {2015},
    issn = {1683-8831},
    doi = {pjssci.2015.10.17},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1683-8831&doi=pjssci.2015.10.17},
    author = {Solomon},
    keywords = {Border challenges,corruption,non-tariff barriers,COMESA integration,Zimbabwe},
    abstract = {This study focuses on the relevance of the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) in addressing border
protectionist measures that constraints the operations of small scale cross border traders at Chirundu One Stop
Border Post (OSBP). The STR programme is an initiative of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
(COMESA) and it is being implemented in the COMESA Region by the Member States. Zimbabwe as one of
the COMESA State has signed the STR agreement with its neighbours, Zambia and Malawi and these
agreements were facilitated by the COMESA Secretariat. The STR programme is meant to benefit the small scale
cross border traders in several ways such as: employment creation, food security and promotion of cross
pollination of goods within the COMESA Region. The major hypothesis underlying this study is: The
COMESA Simplified Trade Regime is likely to provide remarkable solutions to the trade protectionist challenges
faced by small scale cross border traders in their trading operations within the COMESA Region. The main
objective guiding the study is: to discuss the impact of the COMESA STR in addressing trade protectionist
challenges faced by small scale cross border traders. Researcher noted that there are few studies that outline
the significance of STR in addressing trade protectionism, yet small scale cross border trade is fundamental for
the development of Zimbabwe’s political economy. The study is centred on the liberalism theory. The study
employed both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The major recommendation derived from the study
is that the Zimbabwean and Zambian governments should address protectionist challenges that are hindering
the operations of small scale cross border traders at Chirundu OSBP and this could help to improve small scale
cross border trade.}
    }