Maravi

Japan following integration SADC is pushing - Abe

Japan following integration SADC is pushing - Abe
By Bivan Saluseki
Friday August 17, 2007 [04:00]

JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday said Japan was following with keen interest the regional integration which SADC is pushing. Prime Minister Abe congratulated Zambia for hosting the 27th Summit of SADC. He said Japan highly valued SADC's consistent contribution over the past quarter century which included the consolidation of peace and stability in the Southern African region through the promotion of democracy and political freedom.

"I understand that SADC plans to establish a free trade area by 2008 and a customs union by 2010 in order to enhance economic integration in the region, and that as a result of the 26th SADC Summit, a task force consisting of ministers of finance, investment, economic development, trade and industry was established and the SADC protocol on finance and investment was signed," he said in a message to President Mwanawasa yesterday.

"Japan, too, attaches importance to the role of regional economic communities in the pursuit of growth and integration in Africa, and we are following the deepening of regional integration through SADC with keen interest."

Prime Minister Abe said cooperative relations between Japan and SADC had been enhanced in recent years.

He said in order to reinforce these ties, Japan was interested in holding a second meeting of high-level policy dialogue for useful exchange of views on development in Southern Africa.

Labels: JAPAN, SADC

posted by MrK @ 4:06 AM