Speaking during a meeting with SADC executive secretary, Mr Elias Magosi in Gaborone on March 7,  he said such reforms should be undertaken with the view to accelerate poverty eradication and attainment of other economic and non-economic development goals.

“It is equally imperative for SADC to set up clear areas  of priorities with timelines  to guide  the  proposed integration reforms,” he said.

Dr Masisi said achievement of sustained economic growth and sustainable development for the betterment of  regional living standards and employment opportunities was an important objective for each member state.

The President also emphasised  the  importance of attaining regional peace and security for the realisation of sustainable regional development.

  Calling on member states to strive for working cohesively towards the realisation of an integrated and developed region,  he pointed out that they faced almost similar socio-economic challenges, some of which required joint strategies to be effectively addressed.

 President Masisi also called  for the migration of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) from its traditional revenue sharing mechanism to a more harmonised system.

Such a system  would be ideal for the success of Botswana’s industrialisation drive, he said.

“There is need to dislocate SACU from the revenue sharing formula and recognise it as a truly regional body comprising sovereign member members  states,” he said.

  For  his part, Mr Magosi applauded government for housing the SADC secretariat which he said testified to Botswana’s commitment towards realisation  of regional unity and cooperation.

He said one  of the orgnisation’s priority areas was taking a pragmatic approach to ensure the region became a beacon of shared prosperity through accelerated implementation of SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan priorities.

Mr Magosi said  for SADC to realise the benefits of regional integration, member states needed to sign and ratify relevant protocols and agreements.

He promised to continue supporting and facilitating member states on the signing and ratification of accords so that all could effectively contribute and benefit from regional integration and development initiatives.

 Mr Magosi said peace and security was the foundation for achieving regional integration and sustainable socio-economic development.

 The  secretariat would therefore continue working  with the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation chairperson to ensure continued peace and stability in the region.BOPA