Story by Abigirl Tembo
The SADC Cluster meeting of Ministers responsible for Transport, ICT, Information, and Meteorology which ended in Harare this Friday has yielded significant agreements which are set to promote economic growth and development in the region.
The meeting saw the signing of two crucial agreements, the Beira Corridor and North-South Corridor agreements.
According to Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Honourable Felix Mhona, the pacts will facilitate the creation of a seamless flow of operations and promote ease of movement of goods and people across borders.
“We are a land locked country but want to be land linked and we connect through ports and one emanates from Durban which is the North-South Corridor. Durban into Zimbabwe, we also have Botswana, and Zambia up to the DRC,” he said.
“The corridor is important as we are trying to create integration of our systems, harmonising our systems to create ease of movement of goods and people across borders, therefore this agreement will give impetus to what our great leaders are advocating so that we create oneness in terms of doing business within the region.
“We have the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)that is an agreement, a treaty that is in place so that we try to make sure that whatever we do in terms of trading, will be in a position to actually reduce costs of doing business.
“The Beira Corridor agreement is also an agreement that will give ease of doing business to those who are connecting through Beira port via Forbes, Zimbabwe up to DRC again. So the essence is to make sure that SADC is advocating for oneness. Let me also hasten to thank the SADC Chair who is our President, Comrade Emmerson Mnangagwa. We have been championing and advocating for this oneness within the SADAC region.”
The Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Honourable Tatenda Mavetera highlighted the significance of the meeting’s outcomes in enhancing regional integration and cooperation.
“It is imperative that we approach the implementation of these decisions with diligence and dedication. Our citizens are counting on us to translate our discussions into tangible outcomes that will positively impact their lives,” she said.
“I urge each one of you to commit to surpassing the levels of implementation observed in the 2023 Decision Implementation Matrix. We must not only focus on our sectors but also on the broader goal of improving the livelihoods of our citizens. Our work here is not merely bureaucratic, it is about fostering progress and ensuring that every decision we make translates into real benefits for the people we serve.
“The challenges we face are significant, but they are not insurmountable. By working collaboratively and sharing best practices, we can overcome obstacles and drive meaningful change in our region.”
The Beira Corridor Agreement is expected to enhance trade facilitation and reduce costs of doing business.
By connecting the Beira port in Mozambique to Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other regional countries, the agreement will promote economic integration and growth.
The North-South Corridor will connect the port of Durban in South Africa to the Democratic Republic of Congo, passing through Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia.
This will improve connectivity and reduce transportation costs, making it easier for goods to move across the region.
In addition to these agreements, the meeting also saw significant progress in other areas, including Review of the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications, and Meteorology where Member States agreed to embark on a thorough consultative process to ensure the protocol remains relevant and effective in addressing contemporary challenges.
Revised SADC Cybercrime Model Law where Ministers adopted the revised model law, which aims to fortify legal frameworks against cyber threats in the region.
Regional Railway Master Plan which will see the development of a regional railway master plan and is expected to enhance rail transport and promote economic growth.
The meeting’s outcomes are expected to have a positive impact on the region’s economic growth, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasting growth of over 5% in the region.
