Private sector must be more active in SADC regional integration

WINDHOEK, 01 AUG  – The private sector in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region needs to be more active in driving the regional integration process by creating better opportunities for investments.
These investments are particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, manufacturing and creating opportunities for women and youths’ participation in procurement, logistics and the distribution process.
This observation was amongst others that were made by the SADC member states during the three-day SADC Industrial Week which ended here on Wednesday.
Announcing its recommendations, SADC’s Director for Industrial Development and Trade, Tapiwa Samanga explained that the forum recommended that member states develop skills in the gas sector for the youth and ensure that communities within gas-related projects benefit from job opportunities along the stages of value chains, in order to execute the SADC Industrial Energy Efficiency Programme (SIEEP) effectively.
It thus declared to establish a Regional Gas Committee which is inclusive of the private sector to develop a Regional Gas Master Plan.
Samanga said the forum observed that the youth, women and private sector should be better involved in the policy making processes on regional integration, industrialisation and economic development.
He further noted that member states declared to provide conditions and incentives for the private sector and training institutions to build capacity of youth and women entrepreneurs through incubation, mentorship, internship and skills training programmes in key areas of industrialisation. Also, to develop regional initiatives to enhance youth and women access to capital and credit to start ups.
Samanga indicated that the forum further agreed to accelerate the establishment of the SADC Business Council as the overarching structure to engage the public sector in the region, while business organisations at country level will have to meet and nominate their apex business body to represent them on the council.
The recommendations will be taken to the SADC Council of Ministers who will deliberate on those to be presented at the SADC summit this month.
NAMPA