WITH JUST over 12 months remaining before the SADC region can create its Free Trade Area, Member States remain confident that they can move a gear up to iron out outstanding impediments for the region to achieve set targets.

Since 2000, SADC countries have been implementing a programme towards creating a Free Trade Area by 2008, a Customs Union by 2010, a Common Market by 2015 and a Monetary Union by 2018.

However, the last heads of state Summit, in the Lesotho capital of Maseru in August, raised concern about the pace at which SADC's economic integration programme was being implemented. [read more]

Normal rainfall season forecast

SOUTHERN AFRICA is poised for another good agricultural season as weather experts forecast normal rainfall in 2006/07.

According to 10^th Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF), which met in Botswana in September, the rainfall 2006/07 season in SADC will be split into two parts - the first half stretching from October to December and the remainder from January to March 2007.

The SARCOF meeting was convened to come up with a consensus forecast for the rainfall pattern in SADC in 2006/07. [read more]

Stronger ties for Africa and China - “ Friendship, Peace, Cooperation and Development”

RELATIONS BETWEEN China and Africa are poised to grow stronger after both sides agreed to strengthen economic, cultural and political ties.

Economic cooperation was one of the main issues that emerged from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing in November.

Chinese President Hu Jintao announced a set of measures, spanning the whole spectrum of relations between China and Africa. The measures covered political, economic, technological, social and cultural relations and are aimed at creating a win-win situation for both parties. [read more]