The AfDB's Malawi Field Office (MWFO) disseminated the Bank's Regional Integration Strategy Paper for Southern Africa at a workshop jointly organized with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Lilongwe, Malawi on September 21, 2012.
The workshop, which was attended by senior officials from Government, development partners and the private sector, was officially opened by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. John Bande.
In his remarks, Mr. Bande thanked the Bank for providing support to Government to mitigate the different economic challenges the country was facing. He commended the Bank for unveiling the regional strategy, which will support several sectors including transport, energy, trade and information and communications technology (ICT), and capacity building, which are key to an integrated Southern Africa.
In his welcome remarks, the AfDB Resident Representative, Mr. Andrew Mwaba, explained that the workshop provided an opportunity to explore opportunities and deepen dialogue on actions to foster regional integration with Government, development partners and private sector institutions.
He called for stronger collaboration with development partners for the successful implementation of the RISP and other regional initiatives, which should make a difference to the people in the region.
During the workshop, participants received copies of the Southern Africa Regional Integration Strategy Paper (2011-2015) and the Bank publication African Development Bank Group in Southern Africa: Fostering Growth and Integration.
