SADC Integration Timeframe Needs Rethink – Carim

Political leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have tacitly acknowledged that the aim to create a customs union by 2010 is too ambitious.

Department of Trade and Industry deputy director-general, Xavier Carim, argues that while SADC ministers agreed that regional integration should be prioritised, it is now recognised that the timeframe for integration needed to be rethought and that alternative models for integration should be considered.

Carim says that, “There is now recognition that you cannot talk about a common external tariff if you have no common policies.” He further states that members would never be able to agree on the setting of tariffs if some only see themselves as consumers and others see themselves as producers.

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