Story by John Nhandara
HARARE – SADC Member States are intensifying efforts to remove trade barriers within the regional bloc, a move cited as critical in deepening regional economic integration and boosting intra-SADC trade.
The urgency of addressing trade impediments in a volatile global economic environment, and harmonisation of trade tariffs within the SADC bloc were high on the agenda this Tuesday during the Meeting of Senior Officials for Committee of Trade and Taskforce on Regional Economic Integration underway in Harare.
“Trade is important within our region. Intra-SADC trade has not been at a very good level for two years. We do not have a meeting on trade so it is good that we are meeting. With taskforce looking at the progress that we have made towards addressing issues like tariff barriers,” SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms Angele Makombo N’tumba said.
The meeting also sought to strengthen the institutional architecture that underpins the implementation of SADC regional programmes.
“We also looked at the industrialisation pillar. How we can harness minerals and natural resources in the SADC region and industrialise through beneficiation and value addition which must benefit people of the SADC region,” Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Albert Chimbindi noted.
Deliberations also centred on the review of the Regional Indicative Strategy Development Plan, a technical document that outlines key strategic priorities and provides a structured roadmap to achieve more integration and improve economic performance within SADC.
