Chileshe Kapwepwe, Secretary General of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), confirmed on Saturday that investments and inter-trade activities among the organisation's member states will significantly increase after Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi receives the presidency of the African Union (AU) in February. The COMESA chief described Sisi as one of the most credible presidents in the African continent. In statements to MENA on Saturday, Kapwepwe said that President Sisi has exerted tireless efforts to support trade integration and sustainable development in the African continent. Egypt's hosting the Africa Forum for the third year in a row highlights Cairo's commitment towards pushing forward the collective action among the African countries with an aim to achieve the sustainable development, increase the economic growth rates and joint investments and reducing poverty rates, Kapwepwe noted. Kapwepwe asserted that Egypt is capable of leading the efforts exerted for establishing a free trade zone between the three African blocs; COMESA, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC). Participants in the two-day forum will discuss means of consolidating partnership between the African governments and the private sector and removing hurdles facing free trade, she said. She said that the African countries can benefit from Egypt's expertise in the fields of sustainable development, economic reforms, technology transfer and infrastructure. Source: MENA
