SADC establishes framework for standards, policies harmonization

New SADC Council of ministers’ chairman, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi.

What you need to know:

 The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) is committed to establishing a framework to oversee harmonization of standards, policies, laws and regulation within the 16-nation bloc.

This is meant to ending the Non-Tariff Trade Barriers, which impede intra-regional trade, which stands at below 20 per cent.

Dar es Salaam. The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) is set to establish a framework to oversee harmonization of standards, policies, laws and regulation within the 16-nation bloc.

This was meant to remove Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) and eventually bolster intra-regional trade, which currently stands at below 20 per cent.

The revelation was made Tuesday, August 21 by the new SADC Council of ministers’ chairman, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi.

He was speaking here in the city during a meeting with editors and Heads of media outlets.

"Sadc recognizes that harmonization of various procedures is pivotal in curbing the NTBs....we will ensure within a year of our leadership we deal with the challenge," committed Prof Kabudi who also doubles as Foreign Affairs minister.