SADC Committed to Cooperation, Integration

Acting President Joice Mujuru welcomes Malawian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Jane Kambalane at her Munhumutapa offices in Harare on June 5, 2013., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Latest: SADC committed to cooperation, integration:Mujuru

October 16, 2013
By Marcia Gore in Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe Herald

The improving connectivity within the Sadc region shows the region’s commitment to the development strategy of regional cooperation and integration, Vice President Joice Mujuru has said.

In a speech read on her behalf by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Dr Obert Mpofu, at the official opening of the Meeting of the Ministers responsible for Transport and Meteorology in Victoria Falls today, Cde Mujuru said it was pleasing to note that the region had maintained a good aviation safety record.

“I urge all responsible authorities throughout the region to do everything in your capacity to jealously guard that safety record.” She said there was a positive correlation between civil aviation safety record and tourism and there should be no disruption to the upward trend of tourism by ensuring civil aviation standards are maintained.

“Spatial Development Initiatives have largely provided the political and economic framework for trade facilitation in the Southern African region. Further they provide new opportunities for business investment especially in the construction, retail, services and finance sectors.

“The initiatives are designed to achieve accelerated rehabilitation of the core infrastructure through public-private partnerships, joint ventures and other resource mobilisation tools, thereby opening up underutilised economic opportunities,” she said.

Cde Mujuru added that the Spatial Development Initiatives also provide real opportunities for regional economic integration, international competitiveness, and broadening of the ownership base in the economy of the corridors.

“In this respect, the introduction of the SADC Regional Development Master Plan gave priority to infrastructure projects with a regional inclination thus giving a new meaning to infrastructural development.

“As we work through the realms of regional integration and corridor management, key issues we need to take note of, and attend to, include harmonisation of regulations associated with common road design and construction standards, harmonisation of road user charges, and the adoption of common rules and regulations governing the dimensions and axle loads of vehicles, among others.

“Our outcomes should aim to promote regional trade and tourism through the elimination of non-tariff barriers,” she said.

The Vice President also expressed the need to fast-track the elimination of transport bottlenecks and streamline customs administration processes to promote intra-regional trade.

She said there was also a need to create economic space where investors could produce for regional as well as global markets.

“In doing this we must also focus on dismantling restrictive trade practices that inhibit the region from diversifying its exports.

“Low intra-SADC trade currently reflects limited progress towards implementing the SADC trade protocol and the SADC protocol on transport, communications and meteorology.

She challenged all member states to try and foster a regional approach towards improved training for meteorology personnel.

“One important area in this regard is the development of effective Quality Management Systems (QMS) within our meteorological departments.”

Cde Mujuru acknowledged the meteorological departments for their critical role in providing accurate and timely information to the civil aviation sector, which she said contributed towards the good safety record of the civil aviation sector in the region.

“The phenomenon of climate change has become a reality. I therefore want to urge member states to provide necessary resources to their meteorological services departments in order for them to come up with accurate data and information on weather patterns.

“Such information,” she said, “is critical in averting disasters caused by climate change and seismological effects.

“Similarly, I want to urge you to promote the sharing of this information within the SADC region since these natural disasters know no territorial boundaries and can affect the livelihood of the general population across the borders.”