Cape Town – The Southern African Customs Union Council of Ministers has endorsed key proposals aimed at strengthening regional integration, trade and economic development among member states.
Lesotho’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr. Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, announced the decisions following the ministerial meeting, which saw the approval of a SACU Development Fund designed to support development projects, infrastructure growth and economic opportunities across the region.
The Council also approved new strategies to improve trade among member states and strengthen the region’s competitiveness in international markets.
On the sidelines of the summit, Dr. Matlanyane held bilateral talks with South Africa’s Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, on issues affecting Lesotho, including the upgrading of the Sani Pass and Tele Bridge border posts, the proposed Lesotho-Botswana water project, and challenges faced by Basotho motorists crossing into South Africa.
Lesotho Revenue Service Acting Commissioner, Albert ‘Nete, used the occasion to call on traders and commuters to comply with customs declaration requirements, noting that customs revenue contributes significantly to the SACU revenue-sharing pool from which Lesotho is expected to receive more than M10 billion during the 2025/26 financial year.
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