Regional Initiative Strategic Development Plan briefing by Department
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Meeting report
FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
30 May 2007
REGIONAL INITIATIVE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN BRIEFING BY DEPARTMENT
Chairperson: Mr D J Sithole
Documents handed out:
Report on Developments within SADC
SUMMARY:
The Department of Foreign Affairs briefed the Committee on the developments made in the Regional Initiative Strategic Development Plan that SADC had adopted in August 2003. The Development Plan attempted to achieve free trade by 2008; a Customs Union by 2010; a Common Market by 2015 and a Monetary Union by 2016. The presenter gave a brief update on developments and the current situation in several areas. There had been a great political cohesion within the SADC region when it came to articulating their position in other international forums. Madagascar was appointed as a new member state. Movement of trade and free movement of people was identified under a Protocol signed by seven member countries to date. Particular focus areas included energy production in the region, a common set of banking rules and regulations, food security, and the implementation of the Lesotho Protocol on HIV/Aids. A study would be finalised in June on the future position of the Southern African Customs Union. A Monetary Surveillance and Performance Unit (MSPU) would monitor the macro-economic convergence in the region, and report in June 2007. The Science and Technology Msaft protocol would be submitted to the August summit for adoption. Developments had been made in finalising strategic plans related to the control of malaria and tuberculosis. A five year business plan had been elaborated to implement the Maseru declaration on HIV/Aids. On the political front, South Africa had been mandated to mediate talks in Zimbabwe.
Questions by Members included the need for the military base in Botswana, readiness of free trade, export of electricity to Mozambique, the Ingwe project, the gender protocol, and the Pan African parliament. Further questions related to the status of bilateral diplomatic relations, non payment of SADC subscriptions, the relationships between SADC, NEPAD and the Development Fund, and items being manufactured,
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