Mozambique urges Zambia to embrace mutual advantages for economic development

Mozambique urges Zambia to embrace mutual advantages for economic development
Written by Margaret Habbuno
Saturday, August 08, 2009 1:46:14 PM

MOZAMBICAN foreign affairs deputy minister Eduardo Koloma has said it is important for Zambia and Mozambique to embrace mutual advantages that will enhance their economic development.

During the official opening of the 14th session of the Joint Permanent Cooperation Commission in Lusaka yesterday, Koloma said the session was a formal mechanism for the monitoring and assessment of the two countries’ bilateral relations.

“…We ought to lead our countries and people towards an economic development and social welfare,” Koloma said.

He said it was important to deepen bilateral relations that would later be deployed in several sectors such as the Ministry of Health.

“These are the sectors that will benefit thus industry and commerce, environment, tourism among others,” he said. “The dynamics of our relations demand the establishment of regular links and the strengthening of the cooperation between our two countries.”

Koloma said the Joint Permanent Commission would allow the deep analysis of the way in which the cooperation between Zambia and Mozambique was progressing.

“We are required to make a detailed assessment of the implementation level of the actions agreed upon in the last session, an analysis of eventual hindrances that are hampering progress so that we can identify appropriate solutions to strengthen further our cooperation,” said Koloma.

And Zambia’s foreign affairs deputy minister Professor Fashion Phiri said Zambia and Mozambique had made significant strides in promoting trade between them.

He also said the Chipata Mchinji railway line which would link Zambia to Malawian and Mozambican ports would be completed by the end of 2009 and it would enable maximum use of the Nacala port.

“I urge the Mozambican government to vigorously promote the Nacala port facilities to the Zambian business community,” said Prof Phiri. “The current global economic crisis coupled with the negative effects of the climate change pose a challenge of immense proportions to our developmental efforts.”