Hichilema urges COMESA to boost intra-regional trade
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema challenged the 21-member bloc to move beyond commitments and adopt ambitious economic growth targets.
President Hakainde Hichilema urged the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to move beyond commitments and adopt ambitious economic growth targets. Speaking at the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit, Hichilema called for practical steps to strengthen intra-regional trade, mobilize domestic capital, and invest collectively in production and value addition. He stated that COMESA, with nearly 700 million people, has significant opportunities in minerals and agricultural produce.
Mr. Hichilema, who is the new COMESA vice chairperson, said member states needed to be aggressive in growing their economies and overcome a reluctance to trade internally. He noted that while intra-COMESA transactions appear encouraging, more can be achieved by strengthening commercial relationships and supporting locally produced goods. The President emphasized that Africa must lead its own development, with other partners following.
He called for the removal of trade barriers, faster movement of goods, one-stop border posts, and harmonized policies to reduce the cost of doing business. Vice President Mutale Nalumango stated that President Hichilema’s election to the COMESA vice-chairmanship supports Zambia’s export-based Grow Zambia Agenda.
Why it mattersZambian President Hakainde Hichilema is pushing for increased intra-regional trade and investment within COMESA to foster economic growth and create jobs.