Delegates from the three African economic blocs convened in Sharm el Sheikh (photo: AFP)

(VOVworld) – Senior officials from the three African economic blocs, consisting of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened in the Egyptian city of Sharm el Sheikh on Sunday to discuss a united trade system towards the formation of an African Economic Community.

Leaders of the 26 members of the economic blocs are scheduled to sign an agreement on the Tripartite Free Trade Area on Wednesday. The Free Trade Area, which will create a market with a 625-million population and a GDP of more than 1 trillion USD, 50% of Africa’s GDP, is expected to bring trade and investment opportunities to the blocs.