SOUTHERN Africa Development Community (SADC) executive secretary Kaire Mbuende said on Tuesday the region wants its $50-$75-billion debt slate wiped clean by the world’s rich nations for a fresh start to the new century. “Most of the debt is owed to governments and multi-lateral institutions, so it is within the power of the G7,” Mbuende told a news conference at the Southern Africa Economic Forum. The Group of Seven industrialised nations last month adopted an initiative to forgive $65 billion in Third World debt. But poor nations have voiced concerns at the strict terms of qualification and at the sale of 10 million ounces of International Monetary Fund gold to help pay for the plan. Meanwhile, the SADC struggles to attract foreign investment crucial to kick-starting growth.