Story by Tichaona Kurewa
THE week-long meetings of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Committee of Ministers of Finance and Investment, along with the Peer Review Panel, commenced this Monday in Victoria Falls.
The primary objective of these high-level meetings is to review progress on ongoing initiatives that support the development and integration of financial markets across the region.
A key item on the agenda is the assessment of member states’ progress towards meeting the Macro- Economic Convergence (MEC) targets, an essential component of SADC’s regional economic integration strategy aimed at achieving and maintaining macro-economic stability.
Other important issues to be deliberated by the Committee of Ministers of Finance and Investment include enhancing the integrity and resilience of financial systems in member states, as well as developing strategies to sustainably finance regional infrastructure projects, particularly through development finance mechanisms.
During the Peer Review Panel sessions, ministers and central bank governors will evaluate the region’s macro-economic conditions and outlook, assess the economic performance of Member States, and consider peer review reports for Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Ministers are also expected to make decisions on key measures to advance financial market integration and regional investment.
These include the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund, project preparation and development strategies, and cross-border third-party motor vehicle insurance schemes (TPMVI), among others.
The Peer Review Panel will also focus on decisions related to the MEC Peer Review Mechanism process, alongside the specific review reports for Angola, Zambia, and the DRC.
The outcomes of this week’s meetings are expected to shape future policy directions and strengthen regional cooperation, paving the way for shared economic growth and sustained macroeconomic stability.
