Reliable infrastructure needed to boost SADC region

A reliable infrastructure network is needed to further promote economic development and integration in the South African Development Community (SADC) region. This emerged at the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)/Southern African Development Community (SADC) Infrastructure Projects conference held in Johannesburg on Friday, 8 August.

Delivering the keynote address on transport, Minister Jeff Radebe emphasised the need for market integration to be premised on the availability of efficient border infrastructure and services to allow for the free movement of persons, goods and services.

Developing networking infrastructure and its human resources is a must for the smooth movement of goods and services to enhance the region's competitiveness in Africa and the world.

"This will ensure the elimination of all the inconveniences brought about by inefficient infrastructure and services as our border posts will thus pave the way for a more economically-productive region," the minister told the delegates.

For this to happen, the minister said the southern region governments must put in place various infrastructure projects pertaining to the networking industries, transport, energy and ICT as well as basic infrastructure such as water, sanitation and shelter.

Hosted by the NEPAD Business Foundation, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the NEPAD and SADC Secretariats, the conference was aimed at analysing regional integration.

According to Thembekile Simelane, marketing and project co-ordinator at the NEPAD Business Foundation, the conference forms part of a consultative process and will explore mechanisms to promote investment in cross-border infrastructure and enhance trade opportunities.

"The conference provided a unique opportunity for stakeholders to find out what prospects are available for infrastructure projects in Africa and which funding institution best suits a project."

Under the theme "Addressing the significance of regional integration," the conference looked at some of the of the infrastructure developments to link some of the SADC countries.

These developments include the Maputo Development Corridor and the North-South and Central Development corridors.

Providing the delegates with some of the information and progress on the Maputo Development Corridor which Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Maputo province with the Mozambican harbour, programme co-ordinator, Dave Perkins said the project was progressing well.

"The corridor which is a true transportation corridor comprising road, rail, border posts, port and terminal facilities is well in place and once completed it will boost trade investments between the two countries," said Perkins.

He said the primary focus of the pact will be on creating institutions and maximising investments opportunities.

Other subjects under discussion included the prioritisation of infrastructure projects for immediate action, and defining modalities for the establishment of effective and action-oriented Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Article published courtesy of BuaNews- [11 Aug 2008]