Sadc to focus on intra-trade, industrialisation
Vice-President Everton Chimulirenji says the country stands to benefit in various ways from Sadc following some resolutions made on intra-trade, industrialisation promotion and job creation at the just-ended summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
He told Malawian journalists who covered the summit from August 17 to 18 that there are a number of agreements that have been signed to increase intra-trade and job creation within the 15-member Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.
“There is no sense in selling commodities outside Sadc when our neighbouring sisters and brothers need such products,” he said.
Chimulirenji said the summit resolved that member States should promote women representation in politics and economic decision- making because, like men, they also contribute towards economic growth and development in the region.
During the summit, the Vice-President signed Sadc protocols on industry, inter-State transfer of sentenced offenders and extradition.
The Sadc Summit was held under the theme A Conducive Environment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, Increased Intra-Regional Trade and Job Creation.
In an interview, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Salim Bagus said: “The economy cannot grow without industries. It is good for Sadc to concentrate on industrialisation.”
He said Malawi is providing some incentives such as reduced taxes to attract investors to come and create jobs.
The summit also approved the revised roadmap towards full operationalisation of the Sadc Regional Development Fund. The fund will mobilise resources from member States, development partners and private sector to support regional development and deepen regional integration.
