ZIMBABWE is set to host a week-long 40th Southern African Development Community (Sadc) trade summit in Victoria Fall beginning on Monday.
The Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Co-operation Structures meetings will see member States reviewing efforts at eliminating TBTs and improving economic integration.
Industry and Commerce minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said the meeting was part of significant efforts aimed at advancing regional trade.
“Addressing technical barriers to trade is crucial for enhancing regional integration and boosting economic growth,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is honoured to host this important event, which will allow member States to collaborate on improving trade facilitation and regulatory harmonisation.”
The Sadc TBT Co-operation Structures were established under the TBT Annex to the Sadc Protocol on Trade, which aims to identify and eliminate barriers that hinder trade within the region and with global markets.
These structures include bodies focused on standardisation, accreditation, legal metrology and regulatory harmonisation. Sadc executive secretary Elias Magosi emphasised the importance of fostering trade within the region.
“The harmonisation of standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures is key to achieving a seamless trade environment in the region,” he said.
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“Through this meeting, we will assess progress and strategise on further actions to create a more competitive and integrated Sadc market.”
The meeting will also review the implementation of the Standardisation, Quality Assurance, Accreditation and Metrology programme at the national level and receive reports on the review of the TBT Annex.
Member States will discuss ways to resolve existing trade barriers and ensure smooth regulatory alignment.
