Cabinet has directed the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, to lead a comprehensive assessment of the proposed re-imagined Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
This was part of the recommendations at the 8th Summit of the SACU Heads of State and Government held in Eswatini.
This resolution was announced by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Peya Mushelanga.
President Hage Geingob and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, have directed that an audit of all legal instruments of cooperation be carried out before the meeting of the Bi-National Commission.
The directive was issued following official talks between Dr. Geingob and Ramaphosa at the Union Building in Pretoria.
The presidents, Geingob and Ramaphosa, say they evaluated progress in the implementation of previous decisions and agreements.
State House says President Hage Geingob and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa will discuss bilateral issues including the Orange River Border question, the Southern African Customs Union as well as regional, continental and international matters of mutual concern.
President Geingob is set to undertake a three-day state visit to South Africa on invitation by President Ramaphosa.
The business community is encouraged to take advantage of the Authorized Economic Operator Programme meant to ensure that the Southern African Customs Union collectively becomes competitive in trade facilitations and creates a robust regional value chain.
The Authorized Economic Operator Programme under SACU, now in its second phase is assessing whether the authorized economic traders approved by customs administrations are complying with the supply chain security standards developed by the world customs organization and awarded certain trade facilitation benefits.
The Southern African Customs Union has presented a tariff offer to the African Continental Free Trade Area pleading for a reduction in tariff rates.
This is to ensure that the SACU business community leverage on the benefits of the AfCFTA while encouraging intra-Africa trade.
SACU's Executive Secretary Thabo Khasipe says the reduction will allow the rest of Africa to sell their goods within the Southern African region and vice versa.
