Thomas Vilsack Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has commended efforts by COMESA in advancing regional trade and food security.

In a letter to the COMESA Secretary General Mr Sindiso Ngwenya, Secretary Vilsack said the development of open and minimally restrictive regional trade may be one of the most important yet untapped food security tools available to African populations.

“Your work to enhance intra- African trade opportunities through the elimination of tariffs and non tariff barriers is one of the most needed initiatives currently underway in Africa. We commend you for the progress you have made and encourage you to continue until agriculture goods and services flow freely across borders, enhancing the food security of all Africans” said Mr Vilsack to COMESA secretary General.

“We believe that as COMESA has success convincing member countries to remove the barriers to regional trade, the investment climate will improve in the entire region” added Mr Vilack..

Secretary Vilsack, promised to assist COMESA in every possible way to ensure success in this noble cause “Clearly, many of your COMESA members have tremendous agricultural potentials, sufficient we believe, to feed the COMESA member-country population. We will assist you in every way possible to see that you are successful to that end” Mr Vilsack assured COMESA..