President Jacob Zuma has tonight, 11 November 2015, arrived in Windhoek, in the Republic of Namibia to participate in the official opening ceremony of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Headquarters scheduled to take place on Thursday, 12 November 2015.
President Zuma is the current Chairperson of SACU for the period from 15 July 2015 to 14 July 2016, and therefore, he is expected to deliver a key note address on this important occasion.
All other four Heads of States and Government of SACU member states (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland) are also anticipated to partake in the ceremony.
SACU has been in existence since 1910, thus making it the oldest Customs Union in the world. The Agreement establishing the Union provides for a common external tariff and a common excise tariff to the customs area, with revenue being shared among member states according to a revenue-sharing formula as described in the agreement.
SACU member states are currently in discussions with regard to a roadmap to take SACU from the revenue sharing arrangement and a common external tariff to a developmental integration programme.
President Zuma is accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Mr Nhlanhla Nene and Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies.
Enquiries:
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
E-mail: bonganim@presidency.gov.za
Clayson Monyela
Cell: 082 884 5974
