WEDNESDAY, 8.30AM
NELSON MANDELA heads a guest list of eight heads of state and 700 other political and business leaders from 45 countries in Harare for talks on regional economic integration.
Organised by the SADC and the Swiss-based World Economic Forum, the massive conference aims to discuss ways to make the region more attractive to foreign investors.
Meanwhile Nelson Mandela told a public rally that Zimbabwe was South Africa’s major trading partner in Africa, and it was in the interests of both countries that trade be boosted. South Africa has opened its market to Zimbabwean clothing andtextiles, but has been repeatedly accused by the Zimbabweans of foot-dragging over opening its markets. Talks on a trade agreement have dragged on for five years.
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