By Balewa Zyuulu
President Hakainde Hichilema has officially opened the 22ND Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa -COMESA- heads of state summit and government with a call on the regional bloc to leverage on its potential and fully participate on economic global stage.
President Hichilema says time has come for the region to address all the bottlenecks that inhibit growth to enhance regional integration within the regional bloc and leverage on the wider market.
President Hichilema who has taken over the Chairperson of the COMESA Authority of Heads of State and government has also called for an end to ongoing instability and insecurity in the region.
The head of state says achieving economic integration for a thriving
COMESA anchored on green investment, value addition and tourism is only possible when member countries realize their potential as Africa cannot continue being an observer in the running of the global economy.
And outgoing Chairperson of the COMESA Authority of heads of state and government, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, president of the Arab republic of Egypt highlighted a number of achievements of the regional bloc during his tenure.
Mr El-Sisi has also stressed the need for deepened relations among the COMESA member states to promote sustainable economic growth as an essential component for Africa to have a visible footprint on the global economy.
Other heads of state in attendance are Malawi’s Lazarus Chakwera, William Ruto of Kenya and Burundian president Ndayishimiye Evarist.
PHOENIX NEWS