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SADC Churches discuss SACU
A regional SACU civil society conference has recommended that there is a need for a broader regional agenda anchored on the strength of small economies in the region.
Major push for grand FTA
The envisaged grand Free Trade Area (FTA), a grouping of COMESA, EAC and SADC will hold a decisive tripartite summit in January 2011 in South Africa as a major push for coalescence amongst the 26 countries gathers traction.
COMESA summit underway in Swaziland
The private sector has been urged to actively participate in the formulation of policies that will help guide the proposed Free Trade Area of COMESA, East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
SAPSN summit ends with calls to reject EPA
The Southern African People’s Network summit ended with a call from more than 350 grassroots representatives for regional governments to reject the imposition of the Economic Partnership Agreements.
Africa business blocs set rules for free trade areas
Three regional trading blocs have created a draft agreement which paves the way for the setting up of a $624 billion free trade area.
’Alternative’ SADC summit on the sidelines
While SADC heads of state and government meet in Windhoek this week, civil society organisations from the region are also holding a two-day meeting in Windhoek called ’The SADC People’s Summit’.
Summit ends on a high...Leaders commit to deepening economic integration
The two-day SADC Summit ended in Windhoek on Tuesday with regional leaders reaffirming their commitment to deepening economic integration and speedy implementation of the bloc’s programmes.
EPA the biggest threat to African integration, Keet
Speaking at a Civil Society gathering code named ‘The Southern African People’s Solidarity Network’ a trade and justice activist in the region, Dot Keet, said EPA has the potential to derail efforts to unite both SADC and Africa’s goals of integration.
FTA, Customs Union SADC priorities - Salomao
Consolidation of the Free Trade Area and preparations towards a Customs Union remain SADC’s priorities in order to deepen regional integration, SADC Executive Secretary Dr Tomaz Salomao said in remarks at the 30th anniversary jubilee summit of Heads of State and Government, in Windhoek, Namibia yesterday.
Africa-EU economic agreement stalls
A meeting in Brussels in late July set a new—and ambitious—end-2010 deadline for conclusion of a full SADC EPA agreement. However, as only four countries have so far signed an interim EPA, conclusion of a full agreement still appears a distant goal.
Full FTA on the horizon
Even though the implementation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) free trade area is yet to take place, there are notable areas of progress indicating that the activation of the free trade area is not far off.
New push to conclude fraught SADC-EC trade deal by year-end
A recent Southern African Development Community (SADC)-European Commission (EC) meeting on the future of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) governing trade between the two regions has been described constructive by a top South African trade negotiator.
More time needed for EPA talks - Motlhale
Ahead of the August round of negotiations between the SADC EPA group and the EU, the Acting President of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Parliamentary Assembly says the region should be afforded more time to reach a final decision on a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU.
Regional integration to top SADC talks
Regional integration will be the major topic when the Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state summit that will coincide with the SADC 30th anniversary celebrations gets underway in Namibia on August 16-17.
Come on board FTA, Salomao urges states
Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community, Dr Tomaz Salomao, has urged SADC member states who are still to join the Free Trade Area to come on board.
EU backs off on EPA
European Union Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht has appeased leading European civil society organisations about the negotiations for a Southern African economic partnership agreement, promising "not to put undue pressure" on countries.
EU’s ’divisive’ trade deal comes under fire at SADC conference
Southern African Development Community (SADC) executive secretary Tomáz Salomão yesterday criticised the European Union for trying to "impose" a preferential free-trade agreement on countries in the region.
Either in or out of EPA – EU tells Namibia
The European Union has asked Namibia to stop skating on thin ice and make up her mind whether to be in or out of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
SA to focus on trade as global crisis recedes
SA is likely to focus on stimulating targeted sectors of the economy and firming up trade relations with key partners in Africa, Europe and the east this year, as growing global trade flows are expected to reflect a world emerging from recession.
Regional blocs to launch Free Trade Area by 2012
Three regional trading blocs — the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (Comesa), East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) — plan to launch a Free Trade Area by 2012.