Objectives 1. 2. The objectives of the Community shall be: (a) To promote economic, social and cultural development and the integration of African economies in order to increase economic selfreliance and promote an endogenous and self-sustained development; (b) To establish, on a continental scale, a framework for the development, mobilisation and utilisation of the human and material resources of Africa in order to achieve a self-reliant development; (c) To promote co-operation in all fields of human endeavour in order to raise the standard of living of African peoples, and maintain and enhance economic stability, foster close and peaceful relations among Member States and contribute to the progress, development and the economic integration of the Continent; and (d) To coordinate and harmonize policies among existing and future economic communities in order to foster the gradual establishment of the Community. In order to promote the attainment of the objectives of the Community as set out in paragraph I of this Article, and in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Treaty, the Community shall, by stages, ensure: (a) The strengthening of existing regional economic communities and the establishment of other communities where they do not exist; (b) The conclusion of agreements aimed at harmonising and coordinating policies among existing and future sub-regional and regional economic communities; (c) The promotion and strengthening of joint investment programmes in the production and trade of major products and inputs within the framework of collective self-reliance; (d) The liberalisation of trade through the abolition, among Member States, of Customs Duties levied on imports and exports and the abolition, among Member States of Non-Tariff Barriers in order to establish a free trade area at the level of each regional economic community; (e) The harmonisation of national policies in order to promote Community activities, particularly in the fields of agriculture, industry, transport and communications, energy, natural resources, trade, money and finance, human resources, education, culture, science and technology; (f) The adoption of a common trade policy vis-à-vis third States; (g) The establishment and maintenance of a common external tariff; (h) The establishment of a common market; 8