The sixth summit of the Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA) is due to open in Cairo Tuesday.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will address the summit, which will be attended by delegations from 20 African countries, according to Egypt Online.
The summit will cover economic integration among COMESA countries and means to enhance cooperation in the fields of small-scale ventures, transport and civil aviation, said the report.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Atef Ebeid Sunday urged member countries of COMESA to boost their trade cooperation.
Addressing a ministerial meeting of the group, Ebeid struck an upbeat note about the future of COMESA. He cited the members' keenness to optimally utilize their resources and potentials to achieve economic interdependence. He also pointed to economic reforms carried out by several member nations.
"Egypt, by hosting the sixth COMESA summit, continues to back the economic progress march of African states, (just) as it supported the efforts for liberation from foreign colonialism in past years," Ebeid was quoted as telling reporters on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting.
According to its website, COMESA functions as an organization of “free independent sovereign states which have agreed to cooperate in developing their natural and human resources for the good of all their people."
“With its 20 member states and population of 385 million it forms a major integrated trading block.” – Albawaba.com
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