President Jacob Zuma is expected in Lesotho this morning to consult on matters relating to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

The consultations are a follow-up to the discussions held by the SACU Heads of State and Government during the inauguration of the new SACU Headquarters in Windhoek, Namibia, last year.

“The discussions will also focus on progress in the implementation of the SACU work programme, as adopted by the 2011 SACU Summit. The deliberations will also consider regional, continental and global economic and trade developments and their impact on SACU,” said the Presidency.

Lesotho and South Africa form part of the five member customs bloc founded in 1910.

SACU member countries, which also include Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland, earn tax revenues through importing goods from each other.

South Africa wants to also lobby for the revision of the revenue sharing formula that sees it paying more than other countries as the largest exporter.

President Zuma recently travelled to Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland in April for similar consultations.

President Zuma, who is the current Chair of the SACU Summit, will be accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

 Source: Government Communication and information System