Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

A year ago, the governments of Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa signed the General Protocol on the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative at the World Economic Summit in Durban. In their addresses, His Majesty King Mswati, President Chissano and President Mbeki stressed the importance of the initiative, and outlined ways in which our governments have combined to promote an investor-friendly climate, and a range of investment opportunities in the Lubombo region.

The task facing us was perhaps best summarised by President Chissano when he said: "The aim of the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative is quite simple. It is to end the paradox of poverty amidst plenty, deprivation despite potential prosperity and severe backlogs in basic social services despite the inherent potential of the area."

This is the challenge that our three governments took up when we started the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative.

The mix of assets in the Lubombo area may be well-placed to stimulate internationally competitive tourism but a number of very specific obstacles stand in the way of development. Perhaps the major impediment has been the inadequacy of road infrastructure.

To unlock the investment potential of Lubombo, the governments therefore resolved to improve the road network in the area. A major component of this programme is the building of a new road that will effectively link Durban and Maputo via the Maputaland coast.

This new tourism road will not only have a major impact on the development potential of the coastal region, it will also bring enormous benefits to the people who live along its route. It is pleasing to note that despite the recent floods this project will still be completed by mid-2001.

Another component of the programme is the upgrading of the existing national road that links South Africa's Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces via Swaziland. The road linking Maputo via Mpumalanga to Gauteng is also being upgraded to highway status. These projects will also be completed on time.

A new passenger service from Durban to Maputo via Swaziland, called the Trans Lubombo, was also recently opened. Eleven other investment and access roads are also being constructed. One includes a new link between Swaziland and South Africa.

Together these developments are setting in place a transport network that is opening the Lubombo for tourism and agriculture development.

The three governments are also unblocking other obstacles to growth. A special emphasis has been placed on creating a stable climate for investment. Secure land tenure, efficient movement through borders and customs, maximum government support, and an enabling environment for public-private partnerships are all being pursued vigorously.

As part of this programme, border posts have been opened and existing border posts are being upgraded. A major transnational malaria programme has also been launched. The programme, which is financed by government and the private sector, is underway and spraying in Mozambique will start in October this year. It is designed to roll back malaria for sake of residents and tourists alike.

You will agree with me that the Lubombo SDI has achieved much in recent months. Our three governments have cooperated to lay the foundation for the Lubombo region to emerge as a competitive international tourist destination.

But much still remains to be done. The signing of the TFCA protocol brings another element to our programme. My colleague, Minister Helder dos Santos Felix Monteiro Mutela, will discuss the importance of this protocol in the unfolding cooperation of our three countries. It represents another crucial step along the way to the realisation of our vision of a prosperous and internationally competitive Lubombo.

I thank you.