Egypt, keen on fulfilling COMESA objectives

"Egypt is committed to achieve the objectives of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and keen on realizing economic integration to set up a free trade zone," said Foreign Minister Amr Moussa on Monday.

He added that the idea of holding this regional conference was first discussed, a few months after Egypt officially joined the COMESA in 1998, and at a seminar, the Foreign Ministry organized in Cairo in October of the same year.

"The October seminar aimed at introducing this emerging market to the international world economy. The Egyptian initiative was based on the belief the private sector must lead development in a continent rich with potentialities and resources," Moussa explained.

"All these elements must confirm that Africa is undergoing a 'resurrection' operation established on investing and employing its potentialities scientifically and practically to fulfill the aspirations of the continent," he said.

Concluding, Moussa said that the gathering would pave the way for holding dialogues and consultations by which all potentials can be discovered and defined to achieve constructive cooperation.