SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY Whereas the national business organizations in SADC countries have on 21 S` October 1999, in Mauritius, set up a body called "The Association of the SADC Chambers o f Commerce and Industry" meant to enhance free enterprise and regional cooperation, an d to promote their common interests, particularly through structured forms of dialogu e between the officials of SADC and its Institutions on the one hand and the representative s of ASCCI on the other hand ; Whereas the Members of ASCCI have expressed strong wish to work in close collaboration with SADC and its Institutions on issues relating to the economic and socia l development of the SADC and on the alleviation of poverty in the sub-region ; and Whereas Article 23 of the Treaty of SADC provides that SADC shall cooperate with , and support the initiatives of the peoples of the sub-region and non-governmenta l organizations, contributing to the objectives of the Treaty in the areas of co-operation i n order to foster closer relations among the communities, associations and people of th e sub-region . Now therefore, the Parties agree as follows : Article 1 Cooperation 1. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and "th e Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry" (ASCCI) shall cooperate in matters of mutual interest . 2. The parties agree to closely collaborate with each other in order to achieve th e attainment of their common objectives . -3Memorandum of Understanding between The Southern African Development Communit y (SADC) and The Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCCI)