SADC engages Maureen to address cross border trade meeting

SADC engages Maureen to address cross border trade meeting
By Florence Bupe
Fri 29 Oct. 2010, 04:00 CAT

THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) has engaged Maureen Mwanawasa as one of the prominent people to address the forthcoming high level meeting on Informal Cross Border Trade in southern Africa.

According to the official invitation letter signed by SADC deputy executive secretary for regional integration Joao Samuel Caholo, Maureen is scheduled to speak on the topic ‘Why SADC should Focus on ICBTs (Informal Cross Border Traders): Advancing Trade and Women’s Empowerment’ on November 1, 2010.

The ICBT meeting is set to take place in Harare, Zimbabwe, from November 1 to 3, 2010.

Caholo stated that ICBT had continued to be one of the ignored sectors in the region despite its vast contribution to economic growth and development.

It has also been observed that ICBT in the southern African region is a matter of gender as the majority of those actively involved in the sector are women.

And a letter from Maureen’s office indicated that the former first lady had accepted the invitation as well as the role of advocating for enhanced ICBT in the region.

The meeting will be jointly funded by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the European Union.

Two senior government officials from each member state representing gender and trade ministries are expected to attend the meeting.