The Southern Africa Railway Association (SARA) plans for governments in the region to invest in developing rail and port infrastructure, said the president of the association, Mozambique’s Rosário Mualeia.

Speaking at the ceremony to launch the SARA annual conference, to be held in November in the Mozambican capital, Mualeia also noted the importance of government support in removing tariff controls and simplification of customs procedures and formalities.

Mualeia, who is also president of Mozambican state port and railway company Portos e Caminho de Ferro de Moçambique, also noted the importance of harmonising policies and regulations for road and rail transport in the region, as well as exemption of reduction of taxes on importing equipment for the sector.

According to daily newspaper Notícias the next SARA conference will discuss the activities of associated companied, with particular focus on promoting integration of transport services in the region.

As well as associated railway companies, the conference will involve regulating bodies, investors and financiers for rail industry projects, financial institutions, transport sector consultants, information technology and systems specialists, amongst others.

SARA was set up in 1996 and brings together port and railway companies in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) with the aim of promoting and developing the region’s commercial interests. (macauhub)