Source: Zim, Malawi push regional integration – herald

Ambassador Chimbindi

Farirai Machivenyika

Senior Reporter

The Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Secretary of Malawi, Chauncy Simwaka, has emphasised the importance of regional integration among SADC countries to achieve sustainable economic growth for the benefit of their citizens.

In his opening remarks during a two-day meeting of senior officials of the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the 11th Session of the Zimbabwe-Malawi Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC), which opened in Harare yesterday, Mr Simwaka said the MTR was critical in ensuring accountability, assessing progress towards achieving intended objectives and crafting new strategies to address emerging challenges.

“Malawi remains firmly committed to the ideals and objectives of the JPCC being maintained by the two countries as a building block for regional integration. We believe regional integration remains one of the most effective ways towards achieving sustainable economic growth, peace, security and prosperity for our peoples.

“We note with satisfaction the progress made in advancing the regional integration agenda, particularly in the areas of trade facilitation, industrialisation, infrastructure development, food security and peace and security. Our engagements in these areas have underscored the importance of enhancing intra-regional and bilateral trade as a strategy for strengthening regional economic integration,” Mr Simwaka said.

He added that Malawi, as the current chair of the SADC Ministerial Committee on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, was committed to promoting peace and stability, democracy and good governance as prerequisites for development.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, commended the progress that has been made in various areas.

“We have recorded progress in various areas, especially tourism, where our two countries have been actively collaborating on various initiatives, particularly focusing on sustainable tourism and joint marketing.

“The Joint Tourism Technical Committee has also established a Tourism Development Plan, which extends to matters of what is increasingly described as green tourism and heritage,” Amb Chimbindi said.

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