June 6 (Bloomberg) -- The Southern African Development Community, the East African Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa trade blocs plan to merge, Rob Davies, the country’s trade minister, told reporters in Johannesburg today.

South Africa will host trade talks next week, he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Franz Wild in Johannesburg at fwild@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Antony Sguazzin at asguazzin@bloomberg.net