Allow me to start by mentioning that we are privileged to host this meeting as it helps us all to take stock of how far we have recently moved towards creating a common market in Southern Africa. Progress toward integration of capital markets on a regional basis will help spur accelerated economic integration goals in other areas.
The harmonization of stock market regulations and trading practices that would accompany any regionalization of exchanges could deepen regional integration more broadly in policy areas such as foreign exchange, taxation, accounting standards, corporate governance and legal practices. I am aware that SADC exchanges have been working toward adopting a common framework for clearing and settlement.