Economy will improve — Levy
By Times Reporter
PRESIDENT Mwanawasa on Saturday night reiterated that Zambia’s economy would improve, especially with the resurgence of the mining industry.
Speaking when he hosted a banquet for the visiting two heads of State and other dignitaries, he said there had been a resurgence in mining and agriculture sectors.
Mr Mwanawasa told the audience which included President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Thabo Mbeki of South Africa that sectors such as mining, agriculture and tourism were crucial to the country’s economic survival.
He was happy that there was a resurgence in the mining sector and was hopeful the sector would continue to play an important role in the country’s economy for years to come.
He noted that Zambia was waking up from its slumber in the area of tourism, saying potential in this field was immense but lacked investment and good marketing strategies.
Mr Mwanawasa said from the over 200,000, he envisaged that the tourist arrivals would increase to over 400,000 next year.
On agriculture, Mr Mwanawasa said the sector had experienced a similar fate, noting that despite favourable conditions, agriculture had over the year not performed to its true potential.
Mr Mwanawasa said that from a food deficit nation, the country now had the capacity to produce enough food which she was even exporting but warned people should not rest on their laurels.
He said Zambia should also ensure that it accounted properly for all its meagre resources, which was why his administration waged an anti-corruption crusade.
The country had also made enormous strides in the development of democracy, good governance and strengthening of the rule of law.
To maximise on the democratic gains, a Constitution Review Commission (CRC) was in the process of collecting views and hoped the country could come up with a Constitution that would stand the test of time.
Mr Mwanawasa said since independence, Zambia had made strenuous and commendable efforts in social delivery by developing infrastructure.
He said one of the gravest challenges of the time was the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The scourge had struck at the very core of the country’s social fabric, devastating families and left pain and misery in its wake.
On the international level, the President said Zambia was not an island and had for the past 40 years joined hands with other nations to advance the peace and development agenda of humanity.
Mr Mwanawasa pledged that Zambia would continue to play a role in the search for world peace and justice as well as equitable distribution of resources.
President Mwanawasa said the presence of the first Republican president Kenneth Kaunda at the banquet had added meaning to the occasion saying:
“We recall the contributions that they made in their own ways at various stages of political history of this nation. I am also humbled by the presence here of some members of the opposition. Indeed, your being here is a fitting symbol of our unity in diversity.”
Later, Mr Mwanawasa led the heads of state, members of the diplomatic corps, Cabinet ministers, senior MMD officials, members of the opposition political parties and other dignitaries in singing Happy Birthday Zambia as champagne glasses clinked..
For the Rwandan strongman, he was celebrating a double as his birthday fell on the same day.
He received two birthday presents from Mr Mwanawasa, one of which was a his portrait and another, a copper plate.
Zambia is like Botswana, civilian rule through 40 years of independence. |
