Ministers to bargain for better mineral prices

SADC ministers responsible for mining activities have agreed to put in place a mechanism to check the rapid fall of mineral prices.
    Meeting in Harare recently to review the performance of the mining industry and the implementation of the mining sector programme of action, the ministers agreed to use a regional platform to help individual countries bargain for better mineral prices in the world market.

    The mining sector programme of action is divided into six sub-sectors comprising information, geology, mining and marketing, mineral processing, environment and human resources.
    Total regional production of cobalt, copper, chromite, diamonds and lead in-creased last year while asbestos, coal nickel and zinc output declined. 

    Meanwhile, the ratifying of the SADC mining protocol has been completed following its endorsement by two thirds of the organisation’s membership.
    The implementation process has started and a stakeholders’ workshop has been set for March 2001.

EC to fund investment promotion

Food security update

SADC and the European Commission recently signed a financing agreement valued at EUR16 million for the SADC-EU Investment Promotion Programme.
    The Acting Executive Secretary of SADC Dr Prega Ramsamy on behalf of SADC and the Head of the EC Delegation in Botswana, Robert Collingwood, signed the agreement at the SADC House in Botswana.
    The total cost of the programme will be EUR18 million to be funded over a six year period with EUR2 million drawn from the European Programme for Reconstruction and Development. (approx. US$1 = 1.07 euro)
    The purpose of the programme is to promote investment and inter-enterprise co-operation agreements in key sectors such as agro-industries, tourism, mining, light engineering and building materials including strengthening the role of the

Investment Promotion Agencies and intermediary organisations in the SADC region.
    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr Ramsamy thanked the EC for responding to SADC’s call for investment in the region. Dr Ramsamy noted that many of SADC economies are in the process of creating an attractive environment for investment adding that, "many have managed to reduce inflation, reduce budget deficits, stabilise exchange rates, liberalise exchange controls and stabilise overall macro-economic environment".
    The programme is expected to result in an increased number and quality of SADC projects identified and promoted and Dr Ramsamy added that SADC is cognisant of the fact that in this competitive global era, investors are interested in larger markets and therefore the need to promote SADC as a region.

The SADC Food Security Unit forecasts an increased cereal harvest for the region this year. 
    "Cereal production prospects for SADC are generally brighter than last year despite devastation caused by flooding in Mozambique and parts of South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana and Zimbabwe," the report noted. 
    The SADC update forecast a total cereal harvest of 23.79 million metric tonnes (mt) for the 1999/2000 season against last year’s 21.40 million mt. 
    It said that maize production was expected to increase significantly in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Maize is the staple food in large parts of southern Africa. Production in South Africa is expected to reach 9.64 million mt against last year’s 7.50 million mt. In Zimbabwe, a harvest of 2.15 million mt is forecast, against last year’s 1.52 million mt. 
    A regional maize surplus of 1.14 mil-lion mt is projected. (IRIN)

Truckers form association

Long haul truck drivers of the 14-member SADC have formed an association.
    Harold Myaba, interim president of the body, recently said Beyond Borders Drivers Association, as the union is called, aims at improved efficiency and professionalism in hauling goods in the SADC economic bloc. The association will seek to control loss and damage of goods in 

transit, promote unity among SADC drivers, and improve relationship between drivers and their employers, he explained.
    The association would endeavour to improve working conditions of truck drivers some, of whom, he noted, were being exploited. Its long-term vision is to assist member drivers when approaching retirement to acquire loans to buy their own trucks.

    "It is our hope that the association will contribute to improving the economy of member states since retiring truck drivers will be able to offer employment to some people in their home countries," Myaba affirmed.
    The association will have its head-quarters in Blantyre, Malawi. Membership fee has been set at three US dollars plus a yearly subscription of 55 US cents. (PANA)

Joint tourism pact

South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique will tear down borders separating their conservation areas to unlock the tourism potential of the Lubombo region, says an agreement signed by ministers from the three countries on 22 June.
    The Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) 

agreement is aimed at uplifting the regional economy through a joint conservation programme.
    The establishment of the Lubombo TFCA supports the broader aims and socio-economic upliftment in the southern African region, as well as improving regional ecosystem management. 

    The major objectives are economic development through appropriate maximum use of opportunities presented by the three countries’ natural assets and the development of joint strategies for trans-frontier ecological planning and resource management. (PANA)

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