PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has called on the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states to come up with non-stop border posts to help reduce the cost of doing business.
He says as the member states endeavor to have regional integration and pave way to development, there is need to harmonise borders to help make the continent stronger
Meanwhile, Mr Hichilema says that Africa cannot continue to be observers in decision making, but should be part of decision making.
He says Africa cannot allow decisions to be made for it, but needs to exploit resources which is why the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) needs to actualise regional integrations.
Speaking during the 22nd COMESA summit in Lusaka today, President Hichilema who is also the incoming COMESA chairperson taking up from his predecessor the President of the Arabic Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah El Sisi, he called for non-stop border posts instead of one-stop border posts.
“Let us think inside before we look outside. As we endeavour to look outside for investment, we should look inside ourselves as a continent. Let us work together as countries to make our continent stronger and harmonise our borders. Let us have non-stop border posts to reduce the cost of doing business,” he said.
He said however, that in creation of non-stop border posts,the internal road blocks should not be stopped so as not to compromise on security.
Mr Hichilema also called for more meetings aside from summits, to help propel the developmental agenda of the African continent.
Meanwhile, The Head of State said that Africa cannot continue to be observers in decision making, but should be part of decision making.
He said for Africa to pave way for development, opportunities must be unlocked through the African Countries themselves.
Mr Hichilema reiterated the need to develop people to people relationships which are cardinal for development.
“As African, we cannot continue to be observers. We can’t have people make decisions on our behalf. We have to be present. We need to integrate as COMESA,” he said.
He said there is need to shape engagements as COMESA member states to unlock new opportunities for development for the African continent.
“Our footprint should show as COMESA member states. We need to remain at the table where decision making is taking place,” he said.
Mr Hichilema said sustainable growth is the engine to stability and economic growth, which is why as Africa there is need to promote stability through firstly promotion of people to people relationships.
“If people to people relationships are not developed, we cannot develop. Just like if there is no Government to Government relationship, we cannot develop. People to people relationships are very important. They are the foundation of all other relationships,” he said.
He noted that the gathering of 21 COMESA member states should help propel development and investment through integrations.
And the outgoing COMESA Chairperson President Sisi in his speech concured with President Hichilema on the importance of security and stabilities to achieve development.
“Any day that we waste without bringing development to our people will have an impact in the future. In all modesty and humility, I would like to indicate that Egypt is only designed to bring about calmness, dialogue and demonstrate patience in addressing issues and challenges,” he said.
President Sisi reemphasized Egypt’s commitment and efforts to employ capabilities of development to provide all ways possible in supporting it’s member States.
(Mwebantu, Thursday, 8th June, 2023)
