Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
President Lungu addressing the COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit
President Edgar Lungu says there is need to build on the gains made in the promotion of regional integration in order to accelerate economic growth and sustainable development.
Speaking when he addressed the 19th summit of the COMESA Authority of heads of state and government in Antananarivo, Madagascar today, President Lungu says it is incumbent upon COMESA member countries to look beyond the region and actively participate in the integration processes at the tripartite and continental levels so as to broaden opportunities for the business communities.
He says Zambia as host country of the COMESA Secretariat realizes that COMESA has a huge mandate and major role to play in Africa’s regional integration agenda.
President Lungu says his government remains fully committed to ensuring that COMESA emerges as a strong building block for Africa’s integration process, where all people have an equal share in the prosperity of the region.
He adds that government has since allocated 10 hectares of land to ensure that the operations of the COMESA Secretariat are not constrained by a lack of office space.
And President Lungu says there is need for COMESA member states to continue working towards improving the business environment so that the private sector and other economic players can thrive and become visible on the international scene.
He notes that with enhanced vigour, there is need to promote industrialization and the growth of the small and medium enterprises.
President Lungu notes that investments in energy generation and infrastructure development are critical considerations as the region works towards attaining inclusive and sustainable industrialization
The theme of the summit is “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialisation”.