President Jacob Zuma has appealed to the five members of states of the Southern African Customs Union, (Sacu) to advance intra-trade relations in the region. He was speaking at Lozitha Palace in Swaziland during the 5th Sacu Summit.
President Zuma says relations will help ease the burden of poverty and unemployment facing many people across the countries that are part of the union. He believes that even in the midst of tough economic challenges there will be significant change in society.
President Zuma says the council of ministers in the economic sector have played a significant role thus far.
“I would like to thank the council of ministers for having laid a solid foundation to facilitate the development of Sacu economies and create employment for the benefit of the region and its people. Sacu needs to move beyond its colonial history and architecture into an arrangement that facilitate growth of the region.”
Meanwhile, Trade and Industry Minister, Rob Davies, says he is happy with the progress made by Sacu thus far. He says they now seek to make sure that the union doesn’t favour nor follow the guidelines it used to follow during the apartheid era.
Davies says they have communicated with international countries to expand international relations.
– By Abongile Dumako
