JB reaffirms Malawi’s commitment to SADC’s agenda
President Mrs. Joyce Banda Friday reaffirmed Malawi’s commitment to regional economic integration that aims at promoting sustainable and equitable economic development in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)
The President made the renewal during her maiden speech delivery at the 32nd SADC Heads of State and Government held at Joaquim Chissano Conference Centre in Maputo.
“Let me reaffirm Malawi’s commitment to the goals and objectives of SADC and assure you that we will continue to play our role in consolidating the implementation of the SADC agenda on poverty eradication through deeper regional economic intergration, ”she said.
The Malawi leader called for the early implementation of the regional infrastructure master plan as it is the catalyst for the promotion of socio-economic development as well as regional and continental integration.
She then called for unity and the need to speak with one voice in the quest of advancing the SADC agenda.
Banda said: “Our solidarity should continue to grow from strength to strength and through that we will continue to promote trust and confidence among each other.”
The Malawi President acknowledged that there are a few pockets of political instability in the region and therefore urged for the need to finding lasting solutions to those hiccups.
“Malawi strongly believes that peace and tranquility are pre-requisite to sustainable economic growth as there can be no development without peace and no lasting peace without development,” said President Banda.
The President ended her maiden speech at the SADC summit by thanking the regional bloc for the support rendered to her when she ascended to power which had enabled her start changing the face of Malawi’s economy evidenced by the availability of fuel and foreign exchange.
President Armando Gebuza of Mozambique has taken over chairmanship of the bloc from Angolan President Jose Dos Santos.
The 32nd SADC Summit will end Saturday 18th August.
