COMESA meeting commences in Nairobi

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) meeting opened in Nairobi on Thursday with the organisers optimistic that delegates will discuss and map out sound strategies to usher the body into the next millennium. An official of COMESA in Nairobi told IRIN one of the key issues slated for deliberations is the formation of a free trade area by 31 October 2000. "It is feasible. The development gap between member countries is not so big. Members are able to give each other some leeway," the official said. Senior government officials, ministers and head of member states will also discuss strategies for privatisation, trade and investment, promotion of the private sector, globalisation and economic liberalisation among other issues. The administrative budgetary committee starts its session on Thursday to give way to the inter-governmental committees on Sunday which will be followed by the council of ministers and finally the heads of state panel. The meeting ends on 25 May. COMESA has 21 members and was formed to promote cross-border trade and investment.