Mbeki to assume Sadc chairmanship

[XXPANTHAXX]

SOUTH African President Thabo Mbeki becomes the chairman of the Southern
African Development Community next weekend.

In a statement yesterday, the South Africa’s Department of Foreign
Affairs said President Mbeki would assume the chairmanship when his
country hosts the ordinary Sadc Heads of State and Government Summit in
Sandton, Gauteng, on Saturday and Sunday.

President Mbeki takes over from Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa and he
will be in the rotating office for a period of one year.

The aim of the Sandton summit is to strengthen regional political and
economic integration and development.

The summit will discuss political developments in the region, food
security and the financing and construction of the new Sadc
headquarters.

On Sunday, Sadc will launch the Free Trade Area of the region.

The FTA will formalise the elimination of trade tariffs among Sadc
members and enhance regional economic integration and the growth of
bigger regional markets.

Preceding the summit, a Sadc Council of Ministers meeting will take
place on Thursday and Friday.