Maravi

'Egypt ready to support Zambia in irrigation'

'Egypt ready to support Zambia in irrigation'
By Kabanda Chulu
Tuesday November 20, 2007 [04:00]

EGYPTIAN Ambassador to Zambia Sherif Mohamed Shaheen has said Egypt was ready to support Zambia in the field of irrigation in order to strengthen the agricultural sector. And Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) secretary general Erastus Mwencha said there has been an increase in growth of imports from Comesa countries to Egypt from US$ 285 million in 2000 to US$ 813 million in 2005.

Speaking after presenting his credentials to Mwencha as Egypt’s permanent representative to Comesa, Ambassador Shaheen said there was need for partnership in order to enhance and sustain economic growth.

He said Egypt had extensive experience in the field of irrigation and was willing to help Zambia so that it reduces dependence on rain-fed agriculture hence increasing food security.

“Cooperation between our two countries will be the only way to uplift the living standards of the people and this is why we are ready as Egypt to share the experiences in the field of irrigation to help Zambia sustain and increase its agriculture potential especially that this country has huge water resources,” said Ambassador Shaheen.

“But we are also willing to help in any field which the Zambian government will request so that we can be able to strengthen bilateral trade.”

And Mwencha said Egypt has become a major contributor to the Comesa fund despite joining in 1998.

“Egypt is one of the recent members of Comesa having joined in 1998 and upon joining she became one of the most active members and successfully hosted the first Comesa economic forum that has resulted in regular business summits in different capitals,” said Mwencha.
“And there has been an increase in growth of imports between Egypt and Comesa countries from US$ 285 million in 2000 to US$ 813 million in 2005 and Egypt’s exports also grew from US$ 95 million in 2000 to US$ 533 million in 2005.”

Labels: EGYPT, IRRIGATION

posted by MrK @ 4:36 AM