Tinaye Agere
Zimpapers Politics Hub
REGIONAL ministers attending the 34th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Committee of Ministers of Trade and the 24th Ministerial Taskforce on Regional Economic Integration have renewed calls for the acceleration of intraregional trade, industrialisation and deeper economic integration.
The high-level meeting, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, emphasised the urgent need for SADC member states to ratify key trade protocols aimed at removing intraregional barriers and fostering sustainable development.
Chairperson of the meeting Professor Amon Murwira, who is also Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, called for unity and commitment among member states to fully implement outstanding SADC protocols, including the protocols on trade, industry and trade in services.
“The basis of SADC is that together we have a prosperous common future. The SADC Declaration and Treaty underscore the importance of regional integration. We must move away from constructing barriers amongst ourselves,” said Prof Murwira.
The SADC Committee of Ministers of Trade oversees the implementation of the SADC Protocol on Trade, which promotes trade in goods and services to drive economic growth.
The Ministerial Taskforce on Regional Economic Integration, meanwhile, leads the advancement of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015–2063, focused on leveraging the region’s natural resources for inclusive development.
The meeting concluded with strong consensus on the need to deepen cooperation, fast-track ratification processes and foster an environment conducive to industrial growth and regional trade.
Online Reporter