In order to more aggressively promote southern Africa as a lucrative trade and investment partner, SADC will join the World Economic Forum in sponsoring the 1997 Southern Africa Economic Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe on May 21-23. To capitalize on its immense tourism potential, SADC has been working to form a regional tourist board. The World Tourism Organization traveled to the region at the end of March for a working visit, during which the organization committed to help Angola develop its tourism industry as part of a larger, SADC-wide project. Another area of focus for SADC is regional cooperation in infrastructure development. The economic benefits are clear.
Integration creates economies of scale, thus allowing the region as a whole to be more efficient.
A prime example is cooperation on electricity. In the early 1990's, SADC member countries began integrating their electricity grids. SADC also hopes to create regional transportation and communication networks. In response to a region-wide drought in 1993, SADC countries increased regional cooperation and coordination on water resources and food technology. The results have been exceptional.