OBJECTIVE 5: ACCELERATE REGIONAL INTEGRATION BY PARTICIPATING IN THE HARMONISATION OF MONETARY, TRADE AND INVESTMENT POLICIES Expected output Required Action as specified in PoA Time frame Progress Harmonization of economic policies and improved trade between member states Develop a framework for building productive supply capacity in the region Ongoing A Declaration on Regional Cooperation in Competition and Consumer Laws and Policies was signed by SADC Heads of State and Government at the 29th SADC Summit in 2009. The declaration provides for the establishment of a Standing Committee to enhance cooperation between member states on the enforcement of competition and consumer rights Remarks A tripartite Investment Conference was held in Zambia in April 2009 and focused on energy, transport and trade facilitation for the North-South Corridor Tripartite Framework Progress was made in 2009 to harmonise policies so as to enhance food security in the region. SADC Agriculture Ministers re-affirmed the importance of coordinated research and endorsed the establishment of a sub-regional research organization Efforts to harmonise policies related to immigration, gender, health, science and technology and labour in the region were undertaken in 2009 South Africa the chair of SACU for the period July 2010-July 2011 hosted the Union’s Heads of State and Government Summit in July 2010. The Summit reflected on the achievements and challenges of the Union and deliberated on its future strategic direction. South Africa remains committed to the realization of SACU’s vision of developmental economic community. 77