In their meeting, the Ministers noted the proposed work on the development of SADC Regional Consumer Policy Framework and Model Law; endorsed the proposal by the Secretariat on the separation of Competition Policy from Consumer Policy; and directed the Secretariat to fast-track the process towards the development of the SADC Regional Consumer Policy and Model Law.

On the Implementation of EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Programme, the Ministers noted that Several capacity building initiatives on EU-SADC EPA were provided to SADC EPA States stakeholders to enable them to implement and to trade under the EU-SADC EPA; and noted the resubmission of EU-SADC EPA Review and urged Member States to participate in the review process.

The Ministers hailed the entry into Force of the Protocol on Trade in Services and urged Member States to widely publicise the Protocol; directed the Secretariat to fast track the development of the Regional Implementation Action Plan and urged those Member States that need technical assistance in the development of their National Implementation Action Plans to submit their requests to the Secretariat.

The Ministers approved the SADC Simplified Trade Regime Procedure Manuals and related training materials which are aimed at building capacity of customs officials and other stakeholders and raise awareness on the SADC Simplified Trade Regime Framework.