The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Government of the Republic of India on 02 July 2024 signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Economic Cooperation.
The MoU was signed by His Excellency Mr Elias Mpedi Magosi, the SADC Executive Secretary and His Excellency Mr. Bharath Kumar Kuthati, High Commissioner of the Republic of India to Botswana and Special Representative of India to SADC at the SADC Secretariat.
The MoU establishes a framework for strengthening economic cooperation between India and SADC, considering the regional priorities of SADC enshrined in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030) and the SADC Digital Transformation Strategy.
Through the MoU, SADC and India will, amongst others, cooperate in the following areas;
Industrialization: promote regional value chains in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals and mineral beneficiation;
Human and Social Development: health, education and skills development;
New and Emerging Technologies: ICT development including connectivity, access and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
Trade and Investment: promote trade facilitation and transit, trade in services, attracting and retaining investment.
Disaster Risk Management: cooperation on disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
Women-led Development: develop women-centric public policies and programmes.
Private Sector Development: entrepreneurial development, including startups, promotion and management of small and medium scale industries.
Space Cooperation: space technological applications for developmental goals.
Green Growth and Green Infrastructure Development: renewable energy and water resources management; and
Research and Innovation: In the areas of mutual interest.
SADC and India first signed the MoU on Economic Cooperation on 14 October 1997. The two parties enjoy close relations, historical ties of friendship, solidarity, mutual sympathy and support which exist between the People of India and the People of the Member States of the SADC.
