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(LUSAKATIMES, ZANIS) Zambia to handover SADC chairmanship to SA

Zambia to handover SADC chairmanship to SA
Posted on August 8th, 2008

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Mike Mulongoti says government is ready and prepared to hand over the Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairmanship to South Africa this month. Mr. Mulongoti says in the absence of President Mwanawasa ,who is the current chair of SADC, Vice President, Rupiah Banda will hand over the chairmanship. Mr. Mulongoti said in an interview in Lusaka today.

He added that Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande or any other minister who will be available at the hand over ceremony will present the chairmanship in case Vice President Rupiah Banda will not be available.

Mr. Mulongoti said various ministers are currently preparing to travel to South Africa to handover chairmanship positions in the various committees.

“As a country we are ready to handover the SADC chairmanship despite the absence of President Mwanawasa who is currently the chairman of SADC,” Mr. Mulongoti said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mulongoti has urged Zambians to prepare and embrace the SADC/ COMESA customs unions once introduced in December this year.

Mr. Mulongoti said Zambian business and the general public should not be scared of the customs union once introduced but rather they should sharpen their various skills in benefit services the facilities will offer.

He said Government is ready to support the customs union adding that other member states should do so in order to ensure success of the union in the region.

ZANIS/YK/AM/ENDS.

Labels: MIKE MULONGOTI, MWANAWASA, SADC

posted by MrK @ 8:50 PM