Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga has praised the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) for working tirelessly to promote regional integration and create a shared vision of prosperity for its people for 30 years.
Mr Mulenga notes that for the past 30 years, COMESA has advanced regional trade initiatives to improve the lives of millions of people through sustainable development projects.
Speaking at the COMESA golf tournament’s 30th anniversary celebrations, in a speech read on his behalf by his Permanent Secretary for Investments and Industrialisation, Crusivia Hichikumba, Mr Mulenga reiterated COMESA’s resilience, innovation and commitment to its member states.
“Let me congratulate COMESA for this great milestone in celebrating 30 years of existence since its transformation from the Preferential Trade Area (PTA) in 1994, over its existence, free movement of goods and services has been facilitated for the benefit of the people,” he said.
And Mr Mulenga has reaffirmed the significant role golf plays in promoting unity and collaboration not only on the golf course, but also within the country’s economies and societies.
He explained that golf is a sport of discipline, precision and strategy and that, it is a perfect platform for careful planning and teamwork required to build a thriving and integrated regional economic community.
“Let this tournament be a reminder of the strength of our unity as a nation and as a regional block with tremendous potential that lies ahead for COMESA, congratulations COMESA for the 30 years of service to your member states,” he said.
COMESA Secretary General, Mulenga Kapwepwe, said the golf tournament is one of the special events that COMESA has chosen to mark its 30 years of impact as it brings people together in promoting regional integration.
She explained that COMESA believes in strengthening strong relationships and collaboration in its endeavor to transform people’s livelihoods in the 21 member states.
Ms Kapwepwe stated that the COMESA golf tournament provides an opportunity to members states to connect and share progressive ideas.
She explained that the proceeds that will be realised from the tournament will be channeled to the cancer disease hospital at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
