SADC Ministerial Conference starts in Zimbabwe

Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe (C) with Hon. Abdallah Kigoda (R), Minister for Industry and Trade and Ambassador Rajabu Gamaha (L), Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation  during  the SADC Ministerial Conference held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Hon. Membe leads  Tanzanian delegation to the SADC Ministerial conference.

Hon. Membe in a  briefing meeting.

SADC MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE GETS UNDERWAY

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe, arrived in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, early today to lead the Tanzanian delegation to the SADC Ministerial conference.

Ministers from the 15 SADC member countries are meeting in the Zimbabwean resort town to prepare the agenda for the 34th SADC Summit on August 17 and 18, which is expected to be attended by H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Ministerial delegation includes Hon. Abdallah Kigoda, Minister for Industry and Trade.

The SADC Heads of State and government are scheduled to deliberate on a range of issues on regional cooperation, including review of the region's Industrial Strategic Development Programme.

They will also discuss establishment of a Regional Development Fund, which is proposed to have a seed capital of 1.2billion US dollars.

The Ministerial conference was preceded by a meeting of Senior Officials.

Ambassador Rajabu Gamaha, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation led the Tanzania delegation to the meeting.

SADC member countries are Tanzania, Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mauritius, Madagascar,Democratic Republic of Congo,South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Ends