Maravi

Rupiah urges Zambia, Zim to expand manufacturing sector

Rupiah urges Zambia, Zim to expand manufacturing sector
Written by Innocent Daka in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Friday, May 01, 2009 10:03:21 PM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has called on Zambia and Zimbabwe to expand their manufacturing industry to overcome the harsh effects of the global economic meltdown. Officiating at the 50TH Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Thursday, President Banda said Zambia and Zimbabwe should work with greater vigour in turning the raw materials which the two countries shared in common to produce finished goods.

President Banda called for the improvement in infrastructure such as telecommunications, road, air and railway to facilitate trade between the two countries and the whole Africa.

He said Zambia and Zimbabwe could augment their efforts by investing in human resource development and protection of the environment, the key ingredients in achieving sustainable economic development.

President Banda said he was happy that the two countries were cooperating in various sectors, citing the establishment of a one-stop border post at Chirundu, which he said would minimise the time and cost of trade in the region.

He said the theme for this year's trade fair “Golden Platform for Dynamic Takeoff was appropriate as it comes at the time when the nations of the world were facing a challenge of the economic meltdown.

He said the two countries should turn the challenges into opportunities by repositioning themselves for a dynamic take off through investing in human resource and exploitation of natural resources they shared in common for their mutual benefit.

"Zimbabwe is our natural trading partner and we want to see trade expanded for the benefit of the two countries," President Banda said.

"Zimbabwe Trade Fair should mark a new era for the country's well articulated economic recovery plan both in the short and long term through enhanced trade and economic interaction with other countries."

President Banda said on her part, Zambia would continue to participate in the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair because of its economic importance not only to Zimbabwe but to the region as a whole.

On the political front, President Banda congratulated the people of Zimbabwe for embracing the government of national unity and called on the international community not to continue to isolate Zimbabwe and cause further suffering among the people.

He said the people of Zimbabwe had shown clearly that they were ready to forget their past political differences and open a new chapter for peace, reconciliation and prosperity.

President Banda said credit should go to the political leaders and the people of Zimbabwe for agreeing to find a lasting solution to their internal problems, adding that it was the duty of the international community not to isolate but support Zimbabwe on its road to recovery.

"I want to assure you... that Zambia fully supports Zimbabwe's economic recovery program and it is ready to share the little resources at her disposal," he said.

He advised the people and leadership of Zimbabwe to continue with dialogue in finding solutions to various challenges that they faced.

President Banda said the most important thing had happened in Zimbabwe in that parties agreed to form a unity government and that leaders must continue to talk to each other always.

Labels: MANUFACTURING, RUPIAH BANDA, ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

posted by MrK @ 9:05 PM