The concept of “accumulation/cumulation” or “cumulative rules of origin” allows countries which participate to a free trade agreement (FTA) or a trade arrangement (e.g., a unilateral trade concession scheme like AGOA or the Generalized System of Preference), to share production and jointly comply with the relevant rules of origin provisions. In other words, it allows products of one country to be further processed or added to products in another party of that preferential trade agreement or arrangement, as if they originate in the latter party. In this way, the production may be aggregated with other countries’ inputs, thus offering additional opportunities to source input materials. This essentially widens the definition of originating products and provides flexibility to develop economic relations between countries within a preferential trade scheme. Accordingly, through the concept of accumulation/cumulation in a free trade agreement, the use of input materials and manufacturing processes within that FTA is encouraged. This promotes regional economic integration amongst members of a free trade area.

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The WTO Secretariat has made available on the WTO website the fourth review of the trade policies and practices of Mozambique. All WTO members have their trade policy reviewed at regular intervals by the WTO Secretariat. The purpose of such reviews is to verify the adherence to the rules, disciplines and commitments made under the Multilateral Trade Agreements and, where applicable, the Plurilateral Trade Agreements of the WTO. As of 2019, the frequency of the review process is 3, 5 and 7 years, depending on a country’s share of world trade in goods and services (before 2019, review cycles were shorter, respectively of 2, 4 or 6 years depending on a country’s share of world trade). Mozambique is categorized by the United Nations as a least developed country (LDC). Despite its significant potential for steady economic expansion, underpinned by its good transport links both to regional and international markets, and its vast and diverse natural resources, the country is both highly exposed and vulnerable to weather-related hazards that tend to cause significant economic damage.

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