Madagascar urged to exploit SADC benefits

Salomão who was on a working visit to Madagascar from October 12-14, said the secretariat would take the necessary steps to assist Madagascar integrate smoothly into the organisation’s programmes and activities.


The visit was also to help Madagascar with information regarding accession/ ratification to Protocols; the role and functions of the SADC National Committee and internalisation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan.


Salomão who addressed a media conference at the end of his visit acknowledged that there is need to strengthen capacity at the member states level including Madagascar in order to effectively implement regional programmes and activities.


During the visit, he and his team had an opportunity to interact with the private sector, which expressed great interest in and its readiness to tapping into the regional market as soon as Madagascar accedes to the SADC Trade Protocol and other key legal instruments.


He said Madagascar stands to benefit from the region’s “attractive regional market of 216 million people and a regional GDP of approximately US$230 billion, creating opportunities for investment, economic growth and development; enhancing the country’s bargaining power on the international arena and enjoying substantial economies of scale among others”.


Dr Salomão began his familiarisation tour of the region last month with Namibia, as the Chair of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. Madagascar is the second country he has visited which became the 14th Member of the organisation following its admission on August 18, 2005 at the Summit of SADC Heads of State and government held in Gaborone.


During his visit, he held discussions with President Marc Ravalomanana; the Prime Minister Jacques Sylla, ministers, senior government officials and the newly established SADC National Committee.


He is expected to visit Swaziland today and tomorrow.

Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Tomaz Augusto Salomão last week urged Madagascar to fully exploit the existing benefits under the SADC Programme of Action.

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