SADC ministers approve report on free trade zone
2010-03-08 Angola Press, from Kinshasa
Resources > By Topic > REGIONAL TRADE ARRANGEMENTS > SADC
The Council of Ministers of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) approved a report on regional integration for the consolidation of the Free Trade Zone in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo recently.
Angola, the DRC, and Seychelles have not joined the convention.
The meeting recommended the continuation of the preparation works, with a view to the establishment of a regional customs union whose launch has been postponed.
The technical group will proceed with the works related to the SADC-COMESA-EAC tripartite trade programme.
After reviewing the food security situation in the Southern Africa region, the participants recommended that member states support agricultural research in order to contribute to the increase of production, productivity and trade.
The SADC Council of Minister urged member states to establish farming banks that may facilitate credits, and also approved the creation of the Southern African Development and Farming Centre (CARDESA) to be based in Gaborone, Botswana.
Likewise, the SADC Agriculture ministers were urged to conclude the process relating to the CARDESA foundation charter. The member states also approved the revision of the enforcement of the fees system.
“The global economic and financial crisis: Its impact and regional integration experience” was approved as the motto for the 2010 consultative conference to take place in Maseru, Lesotho in October this year.
Published in: Resources > By Topic > REGIONAL TRADE ARRANGEMENTS > SADC