The Australian Government has expressed interest to strengthen relations with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region.Australia believes that the COMESA integration programme is reaping positive results for the member States and the people and therefore needs full support from a developed country like Australia.
Australian High Commissioner to Zimbabwe His Excellency Mathew Neuhaus, who is also accredited to Zambia and Malawi, made these remarks in Lusaka on Tuesday 14th February when he paid a courtesy call on COMESA Secretary General Mr Sindiso Ngwenya.
The High Commissioner revealed that the Australian government is eager to accredit itself to COMESA as a Special Representative as part of that country's goal of deepening and strengthening relations with the region. This accreditation is expected to take place soon and Australia will join the Twenty-two non-African countries that are already accredited to COMESA as Special Representatives.
"We are determined to create and open new markets and areas of cooperation in Africa and in the COMESA region in particular. A number of Australian mining companies are currently actively operating in COMESA countries such as Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The COMESA Business Forum also offers us a great opportunity to explore more business ventures in this region," High Commissioner Neuhaus added.
He said his government has embarked on a programme to increase scholarships for African students to pursue further studies in Australia from the current 600 scholarships per year to 1, 000 scholarships. This is likely to be effected in the next two years and will be a great opportunity for most people in the COMESA region to study in Australia.
In welcoming High Commissioner Neuhaus, COMESA Secretary General Mr Sindiso Ngwenya revealed that the region is looking forward to having closer ties with Australia.
He added that COMESA is now focusing on deepening regional integration by creating the tripartite Free Trade Area which will encompass COMESA, the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and have one bigger market. COMESA is also working on various programmes to improve infrastructure in the region.
The COMESA Chief also mentioned the operationalisation of the COMESA Customs Union as one of the key programmes that the regional bloc is working on.
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