Southern Africa: 2008 The Year of SADC Free Trade

The Year 2008 is set to be a momentous one for the region with the official launch of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area slated for August. The Botswana-based Secretariat of SADC has confirmed that while the agreed tariff phase-down takes effect this month, the official launch will be in August, coinciding with the annual Summit of Heads of State and Government. South Africa, which takes over the rotating SADC chair in August, is expected to host the summit.