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Pretoria - Regional industrialisation must be the "overarching objective" in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) to promote sustainable growth and development in the region, the third Sacu summit heard on Friday.
"The summit agreed... the aim should be to promote balanced, equitable and sustainable regional economic growth, development and integration," said Sacu executive director MC Moremi.
Reading a communiqué at the summit chaired by President Jacob Zuma at the presidential guest house, Moremi highlighted progress made in the development of regional industrial policy.
She said the five member countries, including South Africa, had noted that cross-border collaboration in specific sectors had commenced and work was ongoing.
Recognition was also given to the importance of facilitating trade across Sacu borders, and the summit endorsed a regional trade facilitation programme in this regard.
This would focus on information technology interconnectivity, improved border efficiencies, partnerships with traders, the development of similar customs legislation, and establishing a one-stop border post.
The summit was attended by Botswana Deputy President Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Lesotho's Prime Minister Pakalitha Masisili, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba and King Mswati III, wearing his traditional regalia.
At 100 years, Sacu is the oldest union of its kind.
At its meeting in Windhoek in April last year, Sacu adopted a new vision for the organisation - "to be an economic community with equitable and sustainable development, dedicated to the welfare of its people for a common future".
This vision was continuously emphasised by Zuma as he addressed the meeting.
During his closing remarks, Zuma indicated that contributions to Friday's deliberations "have been most valuable and constructive".
"(The deliberations) have highlighted the progress made to date, as well as the areas requiring further work," he said.
"The summit agreed... the aim should be to promote balanced, equitable and sustainable regional economic growth, development and integration," said Sacu executive director MC Moremi.
Reading a communiqué at the summit chaired by President Jacob Zuma at the presidential guest house, Moremi highlighted progress made in the development of regional industrial policy.
She said the five member countries, including South Africa, had noted that cross-border collaboration in specific sectors had commenced and work was ongoing.
Recognition was also given to the importance of facilitating trade across Sacu borders, and the summit endorsed a regional trade facilitation programme in this regard.
This would focus on information technology interconnectivity, improved border efficiencies, partnerships with traders, the development of similar customs legislation, and establishing a one-stop border post.
The summit was attended by Botswana Deputy President Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Lesotho's Prime Minister Pakalitha Masisili, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba and King Mswati III, wearing his traditional regalia.
At 100 years, Sacu is the oldest union of its kind.
At its meeting in Windhoek in April last year, Sacu adopted a new vision for the organisation - "to be an economic community with equitable and sustainable development, dedicated to the welfare of its people for a common future".
This vision was continuously emphasised by Zuma as he addressed the meeting.
During his closing remarks, Zuma indicated that contributions to Friday's deliberations "have been most valuable and constructive".
"(The deliberations) have highlighted the progress made to date, as well as the areas requiring further work," he said.
