SADC (Southern African Development Community)
The SADC consists of 14 states and has its headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana.
The core task of the SADC is to coordinate economic growth, infrastructure, poverty reduction and improving the quality of life of the peoples of the member states at a central location. This is to be achieved primarily by promoting regional integration, building on democratic principles and fair, future-oriented development. A Secretary General is elected by each member state for each year on a rotation basis, similar to the EU.
Good development trends (and an increasing trend) can be seen in the area of foreign trade with the member states of the SADC. German-African foreign trade will also grow strongly this year. This justifies the fact that a Federal Chancellor made a longer trip to Africa this year (2004) for the first time in German history. According to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, development aid in these countries must create the conditions for their economies to benefit from the globalization of the world economy.
Saxon companies have the opportunity to receive funding from the Free State of Saxony. Companies in Thuringia receive funding from their state for comprehensive advice.