11 Aug 2008

Mbeki to chair SADC

Johannesburg - SA president Thabo Mbeki will assume the chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) next weekend, the department of foreign affairs said on Sunday.

The department said SA will assume the chairmanship when it hosts the ordinary SADC heads of state and government summit in Sandton, Gauteng next Saturday and Sunday.

The aim of the summit is to strengthen regional political and economic integration and development.

The summit will discuss political developments in the region, food security and the financing and construction of the new SADC headquarters.

Next Sunday, SADC will launch the Free Trade Area (FTA) of the Community.

The FTA will formalise the elimination of trade tariffs amongst SADC members, and enhance regional economic integration and the growth of bigger regional markets.

Preceding the summit , a SADC council of ministers meeting will take place on Thursday and Friday.

Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will lead the South African delegation.

- Sapa /ml

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