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.
The member states of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) are set to review the implementation of the Strategic Plan for 2022–2027.
Currently, the SACU Council of Ministers is meeting in Eswatini.
The SACU Strategic Plan 2022–2027 is centred on six pillars, including industrialization, export and investment promotion, trade facilitation, and logistics.
The strategic plan also looks at the implementation and leveraging of opportunities under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
Accredited traders in Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa will now benefit from reduced trade costs and simplified import-export procedures.
This positive development is the result of a mutual recognition arrangement signed by the five member states of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
Through the agreement, the Commissioners General of Revenue Authorities in the five countries agreed to recognise one another's authorised economic operators (AEO).
President Hage Geingob, in his capacity as Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security, says a meeting of the Organ Troika will be convened soon.
This follows a courtesy call Dr. Geingob paid to the monarch of Eswatini, King Mswati III, at the Lozitha Palace in Mbabane on Friday.
President Geingob will travel to Eswatini tomorrow for a one-day working visit as chairperson of the SADC Organ.
Dr. Geringob is expected to hold consultations with King Mswati III about the political situation in the country.
The visit is part of the SADC Summit resolution held in the DRC in August, for the organ to work towards peace and stability in the region.
