16 Mar 2016

The SADC Council of Ministers has agreed that there should be a declaration of regional drought disaster.

However, attendees agreed that the issuing of statement of appeal for assistance would come through the SADC chairperson.

Briefing the media at the just ended SADC council of ministers meeting on Tuesday March 15, secretary for economic affairs in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Taufila Nyamadzabo, stated that the council invited member states to provide immediate relief to meet food and non-food requirements of more than 28 million vulnerable populations affected by the previous poor season.

He further noted that the council invited member states to provide preliminary data on cereal and other food requirements for the 2016/ 17 marketing year by March 30 in order to facilitate planning logistics and resource mobilisation.

Dr Nyamadzabo said the council approved the SADC budget of US$71.9 million for the 2016/17 activities.

He said 23 per cent was allocated to trade investment and finance, 18 per cent to human resource and administration, 14 per cent to social health development and special services, 12 per cent organ activities and 7 per cent to infrastructure and services.

He stated that the council approved the proposed timelines for finalisation of indicative investment and public costs to implement the revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2015-20 for submission to council at its next meeting in August 2016.

He said the RISDP prioritised industrialisation and market integration, infrastructure development to support regional integration, peace, security and political cooperation.

Dr Nyamadzabo said on the tripartite free trade area, the council urged member states to expedite conclusion of outstanding phase 1 negotiation issues which included rules of origin , trade remedies and finalization of tariff negotiations in order to fully operationalise the tripartite task force to convene a tripartite council of ministers.

He said the council approved proposal by ministers of environment and natural resources for the establishment of a SADC wildlife crime prevention and coordination unit, which should be considered as part of the restructuring process of SADC secretariat so as to combat poaching. Ends