Regional May 2006 |
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| SADC rallies for visa free region, (AND Network, 2006-05-17):-Thandi Shongwe, the Minister for Tourism, Environment and Telecommunications, says the introduction of the UNIVISA and the visa exemption system in the SADC region is a necessary step that will increase the volume of tourists. Shongwe said it will in turn increase foreign exchange earnings, employment and alleviate poverty in the region. Delegates from 12 SADC countries are currently in the Kingdom to participate in the final deliberations on the UNIVISA system and are expected to agree on the implementation plans and the way forward before the end of today. The UNIVISA will enable free movement in SADC countries. Shongwe was speaking at the Mountain Inn Hotel during the official opening of the Regional Tourism Organisations of Southern Africa (RETOSA) on the implementation of the UNIVISA system. “We need to focus most on the relevance and impact that this will have on our prospective economies. We need to view the present state of our respective economies and why such a move is essential.” “Southern Africa as we may all attest is still scuffling with maximum poverty. The region is in dire need to create Tourism Entrepreneurship opportunities and increase employment for its people,” said Shongwe. Shongwe said consultations on the UNIVISA system have been going on for the past six years in 1999. She said a number of workshops were held with stakeholders from the Home Affairs, Tourism Organisations and Custom and Immigration departments. The Minister said in 2005 local consults travelled to Brussels to analyse and examine their experience, and the consultants report will be discussed during the 2 days workshop. “Traditionally the world economies mainstay has been the energy sector. In recent years however, travel and tourism has become the world's largest industry. The sector has become an important and significant contributor to Nation Domestic products in many countries,” said Minister Shongwe. The Minister further urged the participants to view the present state of respective economies of SADC member states and why the UNISA is essential. She said the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup will accelerate socio-economic development in SADC countries if the UNIVISA is in place. She however warned that focus should not only be in the World Cup but SADC should make sure her efforts are sustainable in the long term. “The 2010 FIFA World Cup avails an important opportunity for SADC countries in partnership with South Africa to accelerate socio-economic development. However, I believe that these should not come as a stroke of good luck but should be a result of vigorous efforts by us to drive such benefits towards our countries, directly to our economies,” she said. | |
South African Migration Project (SAMP) - Queen's University - http://www.queensu.ca/samp |