Government has urged the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to establish effective ways of managing the energy sector to enhance regional development.
Energy Minister Kenneth Konga says the energy sector is an important component for achieving economic integration and raising the standards of living of people in the region.
Mr. Konga was speaking in Lusaka today when he officially opened the First Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Regional Association of Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa (RAERESA).
He observed that the success of the integration programme in the COMESA region depends significantly on the ability of the energy sector.
Mr. Konga said this is why there is need for member states to develop reliable energy infrastructure that can assist countries to expand their intra and extra trade through reduced costs that can enhance international competitiveness.
He further disclosed the Zambian government was currently working on measures aimed at promoting private power investment in the country.
And COMESA Acting Secretary General Nagla El-Hussainy said the Regional Association of Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa is important for facilitating the trade of energy services in the region.
Ambassador El-Hussainy reiterated the need for member states to come up with innovative ways of tackling the many challenges facing the energy sector in the region.
The RAERESA AGM has attracted participants from COMESA, SADC and East African Countries (EAC) regions.
ZANIS
