STORY: African leaders call for increased integration efforts
DATELINE: June 9, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:09
LOCATION: Lusaka
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the COMESA Summit at Mulungushi Conference centre
2. various of handing over of instruments of power to the new chairperson
3. various of the Zambian President
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, Zambian President
5. various of Egyptian President
6. various of Egyptian President delivering a speech
7. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): LAZARUS CHAKWERA, Malawian President
8. various of attendees of the summit

STORYLINE:

The 22nd Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government Summit opened here Thursday, with leaders calling for accelerated efforts to achieve economic integration.
   
The summit, held at the China-built ultra-modern Kenneth Kaunda International Conference Center, also saw Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema taking over the chairmanship of Africa's largest bloc from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The summit was held under the theme, "Economic Integration for a Thriving COMESA Anchored on Green Investment, Value Addition and Tourism."
   
In his remarks, the Zambian president said Africa need to accelerate efforts for its integration agenda by removing bottlenecks that were hindering connectivity and business.

According to him, there was a need to reduce the cost of business as well as to harmonize borders to make the continent stronger and enhance intra-trade.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, Zambian President
"I would like us to think inside first before we think outside, but that is what is logical, that is what is normal, to look for joint investments, capital which exists, human capital, financial capital, technological capabilities that we are endowed with, as COMESA."

He suggested COMESA should leverage its potential and fully participate on the economic global stage, stressing that the ambitions of achieving green investment, value addition and tourism growth will only become a reality when member states realize their potential.
 
The Zambian president, however, said there was a need for Africa to address instability in some parts of the continent because peace was important to sustainable economic development.

The Egyptian president emphasized the importance of peace to ensure sustainable economic development. He outlined the achievements made by COMESA despite numerous challenges such as COVID-19 and climate change. He also called for the deepening of relations among COMESA member states in order to promote sustainable economic growth.

Kenyan President William Ruto said the lack of a simple payment system from one country to another results in increased costs. He further said Kenya has had challenges to export and import products to and from some countries due to challenges of the U.S. dollar.
 
Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera urged regional countries to promote economic integration.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): LAZARUS CHAKWERA, Malawian President
"I call on all of us to move with speed on the key pillars of our economic integration. Those pillars include working together to increase our productive capacities in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism and mining."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lusaka.
(XHTV)