The 19th COMESA Heads of State and Governments Summit has come to close with leaders attending the Summit issuing a Communiqué on a raft of decisions to advance the COMESA integration agenda.

The new chairman of the COMESA Authority, President Hery Rajaonarimampianina noted with satisfaction that the theme of the Summit “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization” had been validated through varied interventions from delegation that attended the Summit and preceding policy organs meetings.

In his statement to mark the conclusion of the summit, President Rajaonarimampianina called for the prioritization of technology and innovation, SMEs and private sector initiatives. This in addition, greening of economies, value addition, diversification and capacity building in the public and private sectors which enjoyed continental consensus as priority initiatives.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Madagascar to peace and stability and conveyed his gratitude to the Summit for the confidence in his country to Chair COMESA.

“Let us forge stronger friendship and cooperation among COMESA Member States as well as the sharing of experience in addressing critical challenges including industrialization,” said the President.

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COMMUNIQUÉ

The Nineteenth Summit of the Authority of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) was held at the Ivato International Conference Center in Antananarivo, Madagascar on 18-19 October, 2016 with the theme of “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization”.

The following countries were represented at the Summit: Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Germany, India, Finland, France, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Palestine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, and the United States of America:

The following represented COMESA Institutions: the Honourable Lady Justice Madame Lombe Chibesakunda, Judge President, COMESA Court of Justice; Mr. Tadesse Admassu, President, Eastern and Southern Africa Trade and Development Bank (PTA Bank); Mr. Mahmood Mansoor, Executive Secretary, COMESA Clearing House; Mr. George Oduori Otieno, Chief Executive Officer, African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI); Dr. Amany Asfour, Chairperson, COMESA Business Council; Dr. M. Charles Moturi, Chairman, Leather and Leather Products Institute (LLPI); Mr. George Lipimile, Director, COMESA Competition Commission; Mrs. Katherine N. Ichoya, Executive Director, Federation of Associations of Women in Business in Eastern and Southern Africa (FEMCOM); Mr. Argent Chuula, Chief Executive Officer, Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA); and Mr. Ibrahim Zeidy, Director, COMESA Monetary Institute;

The following institutions were also represented; the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF); the African Development Bank (ADB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF); the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United States Agency for International Development/Regional Economic Development Services Office for East and Southern Africa (USAID/REDSO/ESA); the World Bank (IBRD); the World Food Programme (WFP); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Trade Center and UNAIDS;

OPENING OF THE SUMMIT

Welcome Statement by His Excellency Hery Rajaonarimampianina, President of the Republic of Madagascar

His Excellency the President of Madagascar and host of the summit: welcomed his colleagues the presidents and plenipotentiaries to Madagascar which was holding a COMESA summit for the first time while the country was emerging from strife; and underscored the vision of COMESA; he highlighted the timeliness of the summit theme for addressing the priority of economic transformation and addressing the global economy challenges; responding to African Union Agenda 2063 and SDG 9 as well as adding value to resources including the ocean and coastal economies;

He emphasized industrialisation as a fulcrum and pillar for reviving the regional economies; and underscored the importance of Agro industry, mining and textiles as well as ICT and Innovation. He called for viable infrastructure for adaptation and economic transformation, which requires finance, stability, energy, and innovation. He requested that particular attention be given to island Member States so they access infrastructure and connectivity, and pointed out that island countries bear a heavy burden from climate change. He ended by wishing their Excellencies and all delegates a wonderful stay and invited them to see the land of treasures and opportunities;

Keynote Speech by His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Honourable Ahmed Shide, State Minister for Finance, delivered the statement of the out-going chairman of the Authority His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the outgoing Chairperson. He expressed gratitude for serving as chair and to the teamwork he received from the Bureau; and highlighted achievements during his tenure.

COMESA had some of the fastest growing economies in the world, and manufacturing activity improved. However, there was need to strengthen the regional market and boost intra-regional trade, using a developmental approach to economic integration. He pointed out that COMESA institutions can be helpful in addressing the challenges of a multi-polar world. He ended by underscoring regional integration as a bulwark against the onslaught of globalisation and nationalist movements in developments;

Statement by Amany Asfour, Chairperson of the COMESA Business Council (CBC)

Dr Amany Asfour, the Chairperson the COMESA Business Council (CBC), in her statement: read the Declaration of the private sector adopted by the CBC Forum attended by 200 enterprises; covering agriculture, ICT, standards, technology and innovation institutions, information platform and COMESA Portal for market intelligence, buyer-seller platforms, Triple Helix Approach, technology hubs, credit and financing, preferential public procurement, and industrialisation;

Statement by His Excellency Mr Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC)

His Excellency Mr Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission delivered a statement greatly welcoming the summit theme and it's three elements of idustrialisation, inclusiveness, and sustainability which address anti-globalisation and nationalism, climate change adversely affecting agriculture, weak demand for commodities which call for shifting away from commodities to industrialisation and diversification.

He noted the emerging global coherence and the Common African Position which shaped the SDGs; commended COMESA Member States for their contribution to the CFTA establishment through the Tripartite FTA which will respond to the mega regional trade arrangements being formed by developed countries. He welcomed the COMESA 2016-2030 Medium Term Strategic Plan; and referred to the AU first 10 year Priorities under Agenda 2063 to silence guns by 2020 and to step up economic growth through investing in agriculture. He expressed pleasure at seeing that COMESA was ever vibrant;

Statement by His Majesty, King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland and Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

The Right Honourable Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland delivered a statement of His Majesty King Mswati III, Chairperson of SADC. The Honourable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the Tripartite FTA and called on countries that have not signed the Agreement to do so and those that have signed to ratify the Agreement. He thanked COMESA for supporting SADC in working with Madagascar to address the recent crisis. He referred to the El Nino disaster in the Southern Africa region and appealed to COMESA to join in mobilisation of the required Humanitarian effort to come to the rescue of affected populations. He called for collaboration with SADC in implementing the COMESA MTSP as the SADC Strategy 2015-2063 shares similarities; informed Summit that 300 scholarships have been put in place for the SADC University on Science, Technology and Innovation;

Acceptance Speech by the Incoming Chairperson of the Authority

Following his election as Chairperson of the COMESA Authority, His Excellency Hery Rajaonarimampianina delivered a statement; thanking COMESA for entrusting the office of Chairperson to Madagascar. He affirmed that no effort will be spared to make his tenure a success. He thanked the outgoing Chairperson, who presided over COMESA during a turning point in history when the SDGs, the Paris Climate Change Agreement and the Tripartite FTA were agreed. He called for a rekindling of the fire of integration of the founding fathers, decried the exportation of unprocessed low value products and called for value addition, diversification, and economic transformation. He called for independent sustainable funding sources for independence and dignity of the Organisation;

Vote of Thanks by His Excellency William Ruto, Deputy-President of the Republic of Kenya

His Excellency Mr William Ruto, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya moved a vote of thanks to His Excellency Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA the host of the Summit, on behalf of their Excellencies the Heads of States and Government and Plenipotentiaries and all delegates. He conveyed gratitude for the very warm hospitality and excellent facilities to the Government and People of Madagascar. He thanked as well the host for his wise words and assured him that their Excellencies would discuss issues before the Summit under the theme of “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization”. He called for continuous reform and improvement of COMESA as an institution.

AFTER THE FORMAL OPENING OF THE SUMMIT, THE AUTHORITY:

ELECTED by acclamation His Excellency Hery Rajaonarimampianina, President of the Republic of Madagascar as Chairperson, and His Excellency Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe as Deputy Chairperson;

EXPRESSED gratitude to His Excellency Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Outgoing Chairperson of the COMESA Authority for his illustrious and outstanding leadership of COMESA for the period of 2015-2016;

RECOGNISED and EXPRESSED gratitude to His Excellency President Joseph Kabila Kabange, President of the Republic of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for his excellent and steadfast support and leadership on the COMESA Bureau as Vice Chairman, Chairman and Rapporteur of the COMESA Authority for the past three years;

NOTED the Report of the Secretary General on industrialization in COMESA;

NOTED the Final Communiqué of the Ninth First Ladies’ Roundtable;

NOTED the Declaration issued by the COMESA Business Council;

CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED the Report of the Fifteenth Meeting of the COMESA Ministers of Foreign Affairs;

CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED the Report of the Thirty Sixth Meeting of the COMESA Council of Ministers;

ON THE COMESA BUSINESS COUNCIL AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT

NOTED the Declaration issued by the COMESA Business Council; INCLUDING the conclusions and recommendations of the Tenth COMESA Business Forum;

COMMENDED the COMESA Business Council (CBC) on the implementation of the Local Sourcing Project and the Local Source Recognition Award which focus on building the technical capacity of the SMEs on standards; and promoting market linkages and sustainable buyer – seller partnerships between the SMEs and corporate companies in the region;

URGED the Member states to partner with the private sector in the implementation of strategic measures that address issues of technical capacity, market access and SME competitiveness to ensure their inclusive participation in regional supply chains as this is central to sustainable agriculture industrialization. Such measures include; harmonization of the regulatory framework for standards, strengthening standards infrastructure, creating affordable certification mechanism and developing specialized SME financial institutions;

ON THE COMESA ANNUAL REPORT

LAUNCHED the COMESA Annual Report for 2015;

ON COOPERATION BETWEEN COMESA AND PARTNERS

EXPRESSED Gratitude to all Cooperating Partners of COMESA for their continued financial and technical support to the implementation of COMESA programmes;

NOTED with appreciation the confirmation by the United Kingdom that despite BREXIT the United Kingdom shall honour its commitments to trade and development assistance;

CALLED on COMESA Member States to harness their individual strengths and act collectively as a bloc in addressing the contemporary challenges of the multi-polar world we live in that requires international and regional solidarity;

GENDER AND WOMEN AFFAIRS

COMMENDED the COMESA Convergence Council for endorsing PTA Bank to be the Manager for the COMESA Women Empowerment Economic Fund (WEEF) and assist in mobilizing additional funds for it;

COMMENDED the Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi and the Republic of Mauritius for the signing of the COMESA Social Charter, and URGED COMESA Member States that have not yet signed the Charter to sign it so that it can enter into force for implementation;

CALLED ON COMESA Member States to own and participate in the implementation of the African Development Bank funded 50 Million African Women Speak Project and to work closely with FEMCOM to establish the project country teams;

ON COMESA INSTITUTIONS

RECOGNISED with appreciation the contribution made by COMESA Institutions in supporting the COMESA Integration Agenda;

NOTED with appreciation the establishment of the Regional Design Studio by the COMESA Leather and Leather Products Institute (LLPI) as a Regional Flagship Project, focusing on Small and Medium Enterprises(SME) incubation and development of skills, improved productivity and competitiveness to unlock the socio-economic potential of the Region's leather sector;

URGED COMESA Member States and the Secretariat to work expeditiously together in the mobilization of resources for the construction of the FEMCOM Complex in Lilongwe, Malawi;

ON THE COMESA FREE TRADE AREA (FTA)

URGED Eritrea and Ethiopia to take definitive steps to join the COMESA FTA in order to enhance integration of the Common Market;

CALLED UPON COMESA Member States to implement the COMESA Industrialization Policy in order to produce value added products so as to increase intra-COMESA trade in manufactured and inter-mediate products;

WELCOMED the Decision of Council that the COMESA Business Council establish a regional forum for national trade promotion organizations which should work with trade investment promotion agencies in Member States and National Private Sector Associations to promote intra-COMESA trade;

UNDERSCORED the critical importance of prioritizing the elimination of barriers to trade and investment through facilitating movement of goods and services, relaxation and gradual elimination of visas to movement of people, and addressing economic structural bottlenecks in COMESA which will reduce the cost of doing business and boost intra-COMESA trade and investment;

ON NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

WELCOMED the new SMS reporting tool for non-tariff barriers and welcomed the progress made by Member States in resolving reported non-tariff barriers;

ON THE SUGAR SAFEGUARDS

ENDORSED the decision of Council to extend the sugar safeguard for Kenya by two more years;

ON THE CUSTOMS UNION

WELCOMED the progress made in implementation of the customs union instruments, especially the customs regulations;

ON THE COMESA-EAC-SADC TRIPARTITE ARRANGEMENT

WELCOMED the launch of the Tripartite Free Trade Area on 10 June 2015;

COMMENDED the 18 Member States that have signed the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Agreement (TFTA) and CALLED UPON COMESA Member States that have not signed to do so;

CALLED UPON the Member States that have signed the TFTA Agreement to complete the ratification process so that the Agreement can enter into force for implementation;

ON OUTSTANDING ISSUES FOR NEGOTIATION

URGED Member States to finalize work on the industrial and infrastructure development pillars;

CALLED UPON Member States to endeavor to achieve flexible tripartite Rules of Origin that promote industrialization and intra-regional trade;

CALLED UPON Member States that have not produced their Tariff Offers and Schedules to do so;

NOTED that Tripartite Ministerial Meetings will be held in Nairobi, Kenya on 25–31 October 2016 and URGED COMESA Member States to attend and support progress on key outstanding issues so that the Tripartite FTA Agreement is implemented as soon as possible;

ON THE CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA (CFTA)

WELCOMED the launch of the negotiations for the Continental Free Trade Area on 15 June 2015 and CALLED UPON the Member States to endeavor to complete the negotiations within the indicative time frame;

REITERATED the objective that both the TFTA and CFTA should pursue the broader objectives of the African Union to accelerate economic integration of the Continent with the main aim of achieving economic growth, alleviating poverty and attaining sustainable economic development;

ON TRADE RELATIONS WITH PARTNERS

WELCOMED with appreciation to the United States Government the extension of AGOA to 2025 and the constructive engagement with the US on the post 2025 scenarios;

CALLED on Member States to prepare AGOA utilization strategies in order to drive maximum benefits from the initiative in collaboration with the Secretariat;

ON CAPACITY BUILDING

ENDORSED AND COMMENDED the decision of Council to launch the COMESA Virtual University through which 22 collaborating universities will give a Masters’ Degree in Regional Integration beginning next academic year;

WELCOMED the establishment of the SADC University for Science and Innovation that was launched at the SADC Summit in August, 2016;

APPLAUDED His Majesty King Mwsati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland and Chairman of SADC for hosting the University and CALLED upon the COMESA Virtual University to collaborate with the SADC University;

ON INFRASTRUCTURE

COMMENDED COMESA Member States for the investment being put in infrastructure development especially in air, rail, road and water transport as well as energy and Information Communication Technology (ICT);

CALLED UPON Member States to implement Legal Notice No. 2 of 1999 on air transport liberalization in the COMESA region so as to create a seamless airspace;

EMPHASIZED the importance of improving the maritime connectivity between the island Member States of COMESA and also between mainland COMESA Member States and island Member States in the Indian Ocean region;

ENDORSED the establishment of the Regional Cyber Security Center with the Association of Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa and URGED development partners to support it;

WELCOMED the decision of Council to establish the COMESA Railways Association;

ON FINANCING COMESA

CALLED UPON Member States to duly make their contributions to COMESA and UNDERSCORED the importance of financing the elimination of trade barriers to create a seamless COMESA regional market, as well as the industrialisation and economic infrastructure interconnectivity programs and in this regard AGREED to appropriately prioritise these sectors for financing;

ENCOURAGED Member States to work closely with the PTA Bank on its multi-currency operations and the mobilization of Central Bank deposits as well as pension fund investments;

DOMESTICATION OF COMESA LEGAL INSTRUMENTS AND DECISIONS

ENDORSED the Council Decisions on Domestication and URGED Member States to domesticate COMESA legal instruments and Council Decisions in their domesticate legal regimes and institutional frameworks;

ON INVESTMENT

NOTED with satisfaction that Intra-COMESA investment flows are increasing steadily in various sectors including financial services and manufacturing;

NOTED that the Agreement establishing the COMESA Common Investment Area is to be reviewed and a revised Agreement will be ready for signature at the next Summit of the Authority;

ON NEW INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES FOR IMPLEMENTING COMESA PROGRAMS

WELCOMED and ENDORSED the Decisions of the Council on New Institutional Structures for Implementation of COMESA Programs and requested member States to formally submit to the Secretariat Expressions of Interest of the Sectors and Clusters they elect to lead;

WELCOMED the COMESA Regional Payment and Settlement Scheme as a mechanism for effecting payments within the COMESA region;

WELCOMED the multi-currency platform established by the COMESA Trade and Development which has a balance sheet of over $400 Billion; CALLED UPON Member States to open accounts and make deposits into the COMESA Trade and Development Bank, which will further ease the challenges of transferring funds and making payments in COMESA;

ON MIGRATION

CALLED UPON COMESA Member States to address illegal migration and human trafficking prevalent in the COMESA region;

URGED COMESA Member States to fully implement the COMESA Protocol on Gradual Relaxation and Eventual Elimination of Visa Requirements;

ON SIGNING OF AGREEMENTS

WITNESSED the signing of the COMESA Social Charter by the Republic of Madagascar;

WITNESSED the signing of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement by the State of Libya (TFTA);

ON ADMINISTRATIVE, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

COMESA Court of Justice

APPOINTED and SWORE IN the Honourable Lady Justice Madame Qinisile Mabuza of the Kingdom of Swaziland (Eswatini) as Principal Judge of the COMESA Court of Justice;

APPOINTED and SWORE IN the Honourable Justice Chinemberi Energy Bhunu of the Republic of Zimbabwe as Judge of the First Instance Division of the COMESA Court of Justice;

ON CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMESA HEADQUARTERS

EXPRESSED appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Zambia for donating 10 hectares of land for the construction of the new COMESA Headquarters;

CALLED upon the Ministerial Committee on the construction of the new COMESA Headquarters to expeditiously conclude financing arrangements for the construction of the new Headquarters; and DIRECTED the Secretariat to commence construction of the new Headquarters immediately;

ON GOING PAPERLESS

COMMENDED the COMESA Secretariat and welcomed the first ever COMESA paperless Summit, which was environment friendly and efficient;

ON MEDIUM TERM STRATEGIC PLANS

ADOPTED the COMESA 2016-2020 Medium Term Strategic Plan;

ADOPTED the COMESA Court of Justice 2016-2020 Medium Term Strategic Plan;

ON THE OCEAN/BLUE AND COASTAL ECONOMIES

WELCOMED the prioritization of Ocean/Blue economy in the 2016-2020 and URGED the Secretariat to work with island economies and coastal States for the development and implementation of appropriate economies.

ON APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP BY TUNISIA AND SOMALIA

MANDATED the Bureau of Council to enter into negotiations with Tunisia and Somalia on terms and conditions of Accession to the COMESA Treaty;

ON PEACE, SECURITY AND STABILITY

REITERATED the importance of peace security and stability for creating an enabling environment for investment, economic development and a viable integration for the region;

ACKNOWLEDGES that the security situation in Burundi has improved especially in the capital city Bujumbura and its surrounding areas and urged the Government of Burundi to continue to ensure security in the country;

CALLED upon all Member States to contribute to the stabilisation of Burundi and not to encourage any armed movement activities;

EXPRESSED deep concern over the violence that followed demonstrations on 19 and 20 September, 2016 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and URGED all parties to exercise maximum restraint as well as seek non-violent means to resolve the dispute;

COMMENDED the political and social leaders that participated in the national inclusive political Dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo for signing the final political agreement on 18 October 2016 and CALLED on all the political actors that did not participate in the said Dialogue to communicate their amendments to the final political agreement; and by so doing contribute to paving the way toward democratic and peaceful election;

APPRECIATED the gesture made by the Government of Eritrea in releasing four Djiboutian Prisoners of War and URGED the parties to settle other outstanding issues and to hasten normalization of their relations;

COMMENDED the United Nations for facilitating the peace process and welcome the signing of the Libya Political Agreement (LPA) on 17 December, 2015 in Morocco and the formation of the Government of National Accord;

CALLED for full support of the Government of National Accord by all parties in Libya and also CALLED on the House of Representatives to meet its commitments in the Libyan Political Agreement by approving the cabinet

EXPRESSED deep concern over the declining economy of Libya and CALLED for the urgent restoration of the damaged oil infrastructure in order to increase output; as well as CONDEMNED all illicit economic activities including the illegal sale of oil as well as the currency black market;

EXPRESSED satisfaction with the progress being made in Madagascar in promoting reconciliation and economic recovery;

RECOGNIZED the encouraging progress between Sudan and South Sudan in improving bi-lateral relations;

REITERATED the concern that both Sudan and South Sudan have not made much progress relating to the demarcation of their border and the resolution of the disputed areas and CALLED on the two parties to expedite negotiations and resolve on this matter peacefully;

CONGRATULATED the Government of Sudan for successfully holding a peaceful referendum for the Darfur region;

STRONGLY CONDEMNED all activities of negative forces operating in the region including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA); and EXPRESSED CONDOLENCES to the Governments and families affected by the brutal acts of these groups;

STRONGLY CONDEMNED all acts of terrorism and EXPRESSED SUPPORT for all measures established to counter terrorism and especially the efforts of the National Governments as well as the international partners who have extended support to the affected Governments in counter-terrorism including training and funding for security forces;

CALLED on Member States to strengthen their disaster preparedness as well as continue to build their national resilience capacities and the mainstreaming of climate change in their national development agendas;

ON DEMOCRACY, GOVERNANCE AND ELECTIONS

REITERATED the importance of democracy and good governance in the maintenance of peace, security and stability and URGED COMESA Member States continue to strengthen democratic processes, structures and institutions to in order to consolidate democracy and good governance of the region;

CONGRATULATED H. E. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn upon his re-election as the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia;

CONGRATULATED H. E. President Pierre Nkurunziza upon his re-election as President of the Republic of Burundi;

CONGRATULATED H.E. President James Michel upon his re-election as President of the Republic of Seychelles;

BID farewell to H. E. President James Michel upon his resignation as president of the Republic of Seychelles as well as APPRECIATED his contribution in the country and in the region; and CONGRATULATED H. E. Danny Faure upon his ascension to the high office of President of the Republic of Seychelles;

CONGRATULATED H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni upon his re-election as President of the Republic of Uganda;

CONGRATULATED President Azali Assoumani upon his election as President of the Union of the Comoros;

CONGRATULATED H.E. President Ismail Omar Guelleh upon his re-election as President of the Republic of Djibouti; and

CONGRATULATED H.E Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Mrs. Inonge Mutukwa Wina upon their re-election as President and Vice President of the Republic of Zambia.

VOTE OF THANKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR JOSEPH BUTORE, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI

The Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Mr Joseph Butore, moved a vote of thanks to His Excellency Hery Rajaonarimampianina and commended the Government and People of the Republic of Madagascar on behalf of all delegates to the Summit, for organizing a successful Summit. He paid tribute to the Bureau of the Summit for the able manner in which they had managed the Summit. He welcomed the theme of the Summit and called for the required policies to achieve economic transformation through inclusive and sustainable industrialization. In this regard, he commended the Summit on the decisions taken and directives given, which will provide solutions and ways forward on critical of economic and political challenges facing the region. He underscored the need for translating decisions and words into concrete actions. He congratulated the new Judges appointed to the Court and called upon them to be brave and impartial in their work.

Following the vote of thanks, the Vice-President of the Republic of Sudan made a statement welcoming the achievements made in COMESA regional integration programmes and by the COMESA institutions including the Trade and Development Bank. He noted that the region still faced challenges such as value addition and diversification and regional value chains which are instrumental in boosting intra-COMESA trade and investment and creating jobs. He mentioned other challenges such as gender, foreign debt, the global financial crisis, climate change, political and economic sanctions and internal conflicts. He ended his intervention by calling for peace and stability without which there can be no trade investment and economic development in the region.

CLOSING OF THE SUMMIT

In closing the Summit, His Excellency Hery Rajaonarimampianina expressed gratitude to their Excellencies for attending the Summit and also making significant decisions that would advance the COMESA integration agenda. He noted with satisfaction that the theme of the Summit had been validated through enthusiastic interventions, and called for the prioritization of technology and innovation, SMEs and private sector initiatives, greening of economies, value addition, diversification and capacity building in the public and private sectors, which enjoyed continental consensus as priority initiatives.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Madagascar to peace and stability and conveyed his gratitude to the Summit for the confidence in his country to Chair COMESA. He called for stronger friendship and cooperation among COMESA Member States as well as the sharing of experience in addressing critical challenges including industrialization. He called on COMESA Member States to continue implementing decisions that have been made and maintain solidarity. He wished their Excellencies safe passage home.

The Authority ADOPTED its Final Communiqué as read by the Chairperson of the COMESA Council of Ministers, the Honourable Tazafy Armand, Minister of Commerce and Consumption of the Republic of Madagascar.

DONE at Antananarivo, Madagascar on the Nineteenth DAY OF OCTOBER, 2016 in the English, French and Arabic Languages and all texts being equally authentic.