The 9th Meeting of the SADC Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration was held in Johannesburg, RSA on 4 February 2010 and was preceded by a Strategic Forum of the Ministerial Task Force on 3 February 2010. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss and provide political and strategic guidance in view of the new challenges confronting the SADC region in pursuing its integration agenda.

Honourable Raymond Tshibanda N’tungamulongo, Minister of Regional and International Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers chaired both the Forum and the formal session of the Task Force. The Task Force was attended by Ministers responsible for Finance and Investment, Planning and Economic Development, Trade and Industry from all SADC Member States. The SADC Executive Secretary Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão also attended the meeting.

The Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to deepening the SADC economic integration agenda as enshrined in the Treaty and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan.

The Task Force discussed progress made in implementing the SADC Free Trade Area, noting the need to address the outstanding implementation issues in order to reinforce the region’s ability to maximize the benefits.

The Task Force was also briefed on the ongoing work towards the establishment of the SADC Customs Union, in particular, the issues to be taken into account in the preparatory work leading to negotiations at the appropriate time.

The Task Force reaffirmed the commitment of SADC to the establishment of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite FTA as it widens the regional market with potential opportunities to enhance trade and investment. In view of the fact that the majority of the SADC Member States also belong to other regional economic communities, the Task Force noted that the Tripartite FTA also presents an opportunity to overcome problems associated with overlapping membership.

The Ministerial Task Force is expected to meet again before the SADC Summit of Heads of States and Governments, scheduled for August 2010 in Windhoek, Namibia to review progress and prepare its report to Summit.

Johannesburg, South Africa

4 February 2010