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SADC calls for further regional integration |
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08:49, August 18, 2008 |
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) called here on Sunday for further integration in the bloc.
In a communique which was adopted at the end of the 28th summit, SADC called on member states to deepen the regional integration through the development of a program of cooperation aimed at expanding regional production capacity.
The member states were also urged to improve regional infrastructure to facilitate efficient movement of goods and people in a more open regional economy.
The summit emphasized in the communique the need for full implementation of the SADC Protocol on Trade in order to ensure that the Free Trade Area (FTA) is sustainable and the envisaged Customs Union in SADC is attainable.
SADC recongnized that the region had managed to consolidate peace and democracy.
It reaffirmed its commitment to work with the people of Zimbabwe in order to overcome the challenges they are facing.
SADC noted the positive economic performance recorded by the member states in 2007 and called for concerted efforts to sustain the progress.
Against this background, the summit observed with concern the new challenges emerging as a result of especially the energy and food prices crisis which risk reversing the gains made by the region.
The summit welcomed initiatives currently underway to mitigate against the negative consequences of the shortage and high prices of energy faced by the region.
During the two-day summit, the review of political situation in the region and the launch of FTA were high on the agenda.
Source:Xinhua
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