International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will leave for the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday to chair the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers, her office said.

Department spokesperson Nomfanelo Kota said on Thursday the SADC council of ministers' session would consider reports on the impact of the global economic crisis on the region, an update on the Zimbabwe situation, administration and finances of the organisation and consider the report of the executive secretary.

It was expected that the council of ministers would discuss progress made in the regional economic integration process in preparation for the Summit, particularly relating to the consolidation of the SADC Free Trade Area launched in August last year.

In her capacity as the chair of the SADC Council, Nkoana-Mashabane will also chair the ministerial interview committee meeting on Friday to interview candidates for the positions of SADC deputy executive secretaries for regional integration and administration and finance, respectively.

Sapa