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Govt has responsibility to keep Zambian Airways - envoy Ceruti

Govt has responsibility to keep Zambian Airways - envoy Ceruti
By Katwishi Bwalya
Monday September 15, 2008 [04:00]

Italian Ambassador to Zambia Giovanni Ceruti has said that the government has the responsibility to keep Zambian Airways moving. And Ambassador Ceruti has said failure by the Zambian government to ratify the 2003 Promotion and Protection Agreement has made it difficult for Italian investors to invest in Zambia.

In an Interview, Ambassador Ceruti said the high cost of jet fuel had increased Zambian Airways’ cost of doing business. He implored the government not to kill the airline through unnecessary measures.

“The country needs Zambian Airways especially for the tourism sector and government should act carefully this time because it will be unfortunate to watch the airline collapse,” Ambassador Ceruti said.

He said running an airline world over had now become difficult because of the rising operational costs arising from the increase in the price of jet fuel and that it was the responsibility of every government to save the airlines.

“Running an airline is difficult but it is a market rule to keep such a business afloat especially that in this case, the airline is owned by Zambians,” Ambassador Ceruti said.

And Ambassador Ceruti said most Italian investors had expressed concern over coming into Zambia because of the non-existence of Trade Promotion and Protection Agreement.
“The Agreement was signed in 2003 but on the part of Zambian government they have not ratified the agreement up to now,” Ambassador said.

He said Italy had been doing everything to promote investment potential to the outside world.
“In fact, next year we will be having what we call country presentation and it will be a great opportunity to market Zambia,” said Ambassador Ceruti.

Labels: ZAMBIAN AIRWAYS

posted by MrK @ 4:05 PM