SADC ready to assist Madagascar

The SADC Secretariat will take all the necessary steps to help Madagascar integrate into the organisations programmes and activities.

Addressing a media conference at the end of his visit to Madagascar, the new SADC executive secretary, Tomaz Salomao said Madagascar should exploit the existing benefits under the SADC programme of action.

The technical team led by the executive secretary was in the country from October 12-14 to assist Madagascar with critical information regarding accession to protocols, the role and functions of the SADC national committee and internalisation of Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan.

Salomao acknowledged that there is need to strengthen capacity at member states level in order to effectively implement regional programmes and activities.

Opportunities for Madagascar in SADC include an 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 countrys bargaining power in the international arena and enjoying substantial economies of scale, among others.

Salomao began his familiarisation tour of the region last month with a visit to Namibia as the chair of the organ on politics, defence and security.

Madagascar is the second country he has visited since assuming office.

Madagascar became the 14th member of the organisation following its admission at the SADC summit in Gaborone last August. BOP

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