Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Writer Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Professor Amon Murwira is expected to headline the 34th Meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Committee of Ministers of Trade (CMT) and the 24th Meeting of the Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Regional Economic Integration scheduled to take place in Harare on 5 June. Prof Murwira, who is also the Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers, will preside over both meetings in his capacity as Chairperson of the 34th CMT and 24th MTF. The meetings are expected to draw participation from trade and integration ministers from across the region, as SADC intensifies its drive toward economic transformation and regional integration. Said SADC in a statement, “The Committee of Ministers of Trade will, amongst other trade matters, discuss the analysis of Top 10 SADC Imports and Exports and the geopolitical developments related to the imposition of new tariffs on imported products and their implications on the SADC region.” “They will also discuss progress in the implementation of the decisions of the 33rd meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Trade; implementation and consolidation of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA), accession of Member States to the SADC Protocol on Trade and elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers.” The Committee will also review the implementation of trade-related instruments aimed at facilitating intra-regional commerce, including the SADC Regional Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Framework, the SADC Regional Customs to Business Framework, and the SADC e-Certificate of Origin (eCoO). Parallel to the CMT, the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration will assess the progress made in implementing decisions from its 23rd meeting held in July 2023. The statement added that the MTF will receive updates on the rollout of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015–2063), the region’s key blueprint for industrial and technological transformation. The SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063) remains the regional blueprint for technological and economic transformation, underpinned by modernisation, skills development, science and technology, and financial strengthening. “Specifically, the Ministerial Task Force will review and discuss progress on the pillars of the Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015–2063 namely, Industrialisation, Competitiveness, Regional Integration and Cross-Cutting issues with the overall objective of driving the SADC Industrialisation Agenda to spur economic growth and poverty eradication in the region.” Ahead of the ministerial-level discussions, senior officials from the 16 SADC Member States will meet from 2–3 June 2025 to lay the groundwork and finalise technical recommendations for consideration by the ministers. The back-to-back meetings are being held at a time when regional economies are pushing to deepen economic integration, enhance resilience, and unlock value through collaborative trade and industrial development initiatives. Harare’s hosting of these high-level meetings underscores Zimbabwe’s commitment to regional cooperation, economic development, and the promotion of policies that enhance trade, industrial growth, and economic integration across Southern Africa.