Negotiations between the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) are moving forward successfully, according to South Africa’s Chief Trade Negotiator, Xavier Carim. SACU countries - South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland – are due to engage in the final round of negotiations with EFTA countries - Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Iceland - in December at an undetermined location. It is hoped that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will emanate from this meeting, which would in turn result in SACU countries having a "significant" increase in exports particularly in textiles, clothing, fisheries and agriculture.