The annual Southern African Development Community (SADC) Integrated Committee of Ministers meeting started in Maseru on June7 and is attended by some 250 delegates from the 13 member states who are expected to present recommendations on the region’s most pressing problems, to the SADC Summit in August. 

Over the two days, delegates will discuss issues including trade, industry, finance and investment; infrastructure and services; food, agriculture and natural resources and; social and human development and special programmes, according to Dr Moeketsi Majoro, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. 

The four clusters are considered the core areas of the regional grouping’s integration. 

Lesotho is represented in the ICM by the three Ministers of Natural Resources; Trade and Industry, Marketing and Cooperatives and; Tourism, Environment and Culture. Madagascar is attending the meeting as an observer until it is admitted into the Organisation, expected to be at the forthcoming Summit.

08 June 2005