16 Aug 2015

The SADC Council of Ministers is happy with the report it has received from the executive secretary which covers several topics important for regional integration and development.

Briefing the media on Saturday August 15, the new Council chairperson, Mr Kenneth Matambo said during their two day meeting from August 14-15, they discussed and made important decisions on a number of areas such as political environment and the report from the SADC executive secretary.

About the political environment, Mr Matambo, who is Minister of Finance and Development Planning, said the region had a stable political and economic environment and commended Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Mauritius, Lesotho and Zambia for holding peaceful elections.

He said the report they received from the executive secretary gave an overview of the political and socio-economic development in the region, and progress made

in implementation of council decisions on regional integration programmes. It highlighted some achievements such as development of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap, finalisation of the Revised Regional Indicative Strategy Development Plan (RISDP) adopted by the Summit in April this year and the launch of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA).

The tripartite FTA is between SADC, COMESA and East African Community (EAC). Mr Matambo said the council had directed the secretariat to expeditiously finalise development of the action plan on the Industrialisation Strategy.

Botswana had proposed the theme for the 35th Summit, Accelerating Industrialisation of SADC Economies through transformation of natural environment and improved human capital, and was accepted by the council.

“In this regard it has resolved that progress made on key milestones should be reported in every ordinary council and summit,” he said, adding, “the strategy is expected to enable the region to add value to our natural resources and bring about socio-economic transformation and lift million from abject poverty.”

Another key area discussed by the council was the need for reduced financial dependency and explore sustainable ways of financing SADC programmes. Therefore, the secretariat has been tasked to conduct detailed research into various options of alternative sources of income.

On tripartite FTA, the SADC secretariat has been asked to facilitate finalisation of negotiations on outstanding areas under Phase 1 of the TFTA negotiation in order to make the agreement effective. ENDS