COMESA countries asked to quicken investment agenda

-Government has called on member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to speed up their investment agenda in order to promoting investment in the region

Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Stephen Mwansa further urged COMESA member states to come up with better practical investment policies that will support improvement in the standards of living of people and ensure job and wealth creation.

Mr. Mwansa was speaking in Lusaka today during a workshop on new investment policies and meeting of the COMESA committee of investment experts.

He reiterated the Zambian government’s commitment to supporting and upholding the objectives of regional economic integration on the continent saying this was key to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for the region through accelerated growth, improved efficiency, completion and investment promotion

At the same occasion, COMESA Assistant Secretary General Kipyego Cheluget said lack of coordination and monitoring mechanisms at country level has led to inconsistencies in the legal frameworks governing investments in the region.

Ambassador Cheluget added that investment policies in many countries were not adjusted to suit business dynamics as some are outdated while others do not take into consideration the concerns and legitimate needs of people.