President Levy Mwanawasa has announced that Zambia has made considerable progress in its preparations for the 27th Southern African Development Community(SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit to be held in two weeks time.
Mr Mwanawasa has also pledged to liaise and work with his counterparts in the region
as he assumes the SADC Chairmanship during the Summit in order for the people in the
region to benefit.
President Mwanawasa who paid tribute to the active role that Botswana has continued
to play in SADC was speaking at the banquet held in honour of Botswana President
Festus Mogae at Lusaka’s Inter Continental Hotel this evening.
Mr Mogae is in the country to officially open the Agriculture and Commercial Show
tommorrow.
The President assured his counterpart from Bostwana that Zambia is determined and
committed to driving the SADC agenda forward.
Meanwhile Mr Mwanawasa has urged the two governments to fully exploit the economic
potential through the existing framework of the Joint Permanent Commission.
Mr Mwanawasa said this would lead to the eradication of hunger and poverty and bring
marked improvements in the social economic conditions of people.
President Mwanawasa has since invited the Business Community in Botswana to become
Zambia’s partners under the Zambia Development Agency through which multi facility
economic zones will be set up with the aim of streamlining business activities.
Mr Mwanawasa also urged Zambians to exploit their comparative advantage in
agricutlutre given the abundant arable land, water resources and favourable climatic
conditions to produce agriculture goods and trade with Botswana.
He observed that Botswana and Zambia have been trading partners for a long time
adding that it exports more goods to Zambia than the latter does to Botswana. He
said this state of affairs poses an opportunity for Zambian business men and women
to increase the country’s volume of exports to Botswana.
Mr Mwanawasa cited the Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show as an occassion which
show cases Zambia’s potential to the outside world in the fields of Agriculture and
Commerce, among others saying that by taking advantage of such opportunities the two
countries can derive economic benefits.
He further hailed Botswana for its economic achievements adding that the country had
been an inspiration to countries in the region and beyond and that Botswana’s
economic successes have resulted in uplifting the standards of living of its
people.
And President Mwanawasa told the gathering that included First Republican
President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda that Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe should expedite the
completion of Kazungula Bridge across Zambezi River.
Mr Mwanawasa stressed that infrastructure development was key to the enhancement of
movement of goods among the three countries and hoped that the completion of
Kazungula Bridge will stimulate increased trade among Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe
and in turn impact positively on national development.
Mr Mwanawasa reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to the Kazungula Project describing the
bridge as a good investment, which for years to come will serve and increase
interaction of the countries.
And visiting Bostwana President, Festus Mogae said Zambia and Botswana enjoy the
most cordial relationship anchored among other things mutual respect and good
neighbourliness.
Mr Mogae said the relations between the two countries have withstood a test of time
and applauded President Mwanawasa and his Government for the manner in which he had
been managing Zambia’s economic policies.
He specifically noted that Mr Mwanawasa’s fight against corruption had won accolades
regionally and internationally adding that Zambia’s continued strides was a great
inspiration.
On the Kazungula project, Mr Mogae expressed delight that he would facilitate its
construction and said once opened, it will stir up vast opportunities for both
Zambia and Botswana.
He added that the project would also contribute greatly to the tourism sectors in
the region.
Among the people that attended the banquet which was punctuated by traditional
dances by the Likumbi Lya Mize traditonal dance troupe and the Army Brass Band was
the Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Zambia’s Speaker of National Assembly, Amusaa
Mwanamwambwa and Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja. ÂÂ
Others were Cabinet Ministers and their deputies from both countries, Senior
Government officials, diplomats accredited to Zambia and opposition leaders who
included Sikota Wina and Kenny Ngondo.
Mr Mogae who arrived in the country today departs for Botswana tomorrow soon after
opening the Agriculture and Commercial Show.
Keep the vision fully realised country fellow patriots you have our unwavering support!
Mr Mwanawasa reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to the Kazungula Project describing the bridge as a good investment, which for years to come will serve and increase interaction of the countries. And visiting Bostwana President, Festus Mogae said Zambia and Botswana enjoy the most cordial relationship anchored among other things mutual respect and good neighborliness. Mr Mogae said the relations between the two countries have withstood a test of time and applauded President Mwanawasa and his Government for the manner in which he had been managing Zambia’s economic policies.He specifically noted that Mr Mwanawasa’s fight against corruption had won accolades regionally and internationally adding that Zambia’s continued strides was a great inspiration.
Keep the vision fully realised fellow patriots! You have our unwavering support.
we could learn one or two things from our Tswana counterparts especially in areas of democratic governance,foreign policy and economic management.