Tanzania calls on SADC bloc to bolster its economic resilience through stronger value chains, intra-African trade
DURBAN: THE Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation James Kinyasi Millya has called on SADC member states to strengthen regional economic resilience through industrial development, stronger value chains and increased intra-African trade.
Millya made the remarks while leading the Tanzanian delegation at the SADC Council of Ministers meeting held in Durban, South Africa, where he emphasised the need for the region to pursue economic strategies that promote self-reliance and competitiveness.
He said the changing global economic environment required SADC to adopt forward-looking regional measures, including prioritising trade over aid, investing in technology rather than dependence, adding value to raw materials instead of exporting them, and strengthening strategic cooperation for mutual benefit.
“Today, the global system is once again undergoing major transformations, requiring our community to take additional regional measures with foresight and vision, including trading rather than relying on aid, investing in technology rather than dependence, strengthening value chains rather than selling raw materials, and strengthening strategic cooperation for mutual benefit,” Millya said.
He stressed the importance of SADC member states investing in strategic infrastructure, increasing mineral value addition, strengthening food security, and developing early warning and risk management systems.
Millya also urged member states to turn emerging economic challenges, including the effects of global geopolitical shifts, into opportunities to deepen regional integration and build a resilient and competitive SADC economy.
ALSO READ: Julius Nyerere Power project hailed at Intra-African Trade Fair
He said stronger regional cooperation would enable member states to respond more effectively to external economic shocks while creating opportunities for industrialisation, trade and sustainable development.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, outlined his country’s priorities after assuming the chairmanship of the SADC Council of Ministers.
The priorities include strengthening peace and security, addressing economic transformation, developing infrastructure and promoting human capital development.
Lamola stressed that regional peace and security remain fundamental to sustainable development within the SADC community.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, who handed over the SADC chairmanship to South Africa, called on member states to further strengthen regional cooperation and integration while building the region’s capacity for self-reliance.
The meeting comes as SADC continues efforts to deepen regional integration and strengthen the bloc’s capacity to respond to economic, geopolitical and development challenges affecting Southern Africa.
