THURSDAY, 8.30AM
DELEGATES to the World Economic Forum in Harare called for a regional Southern African common market amid criticism from business delegates that the target date — eight years away — was far too slow.
“No country can work on its own,” said keynote speaker Nelson Mandela. “The pressures of a global economy increasingly defined by regional blocs dictate that we work together.” SADC executive secretary Kaire Mbuende said it was important to implement free trade as quickly as possible, allowing the free movement of labour and capital, a prerequisite to improving competitiveness.
South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel called for a regional court to mediate on both economic and human rights issues, as a first step towards Southern African integration.
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