(LUSAKATIMES) Beira key to Zambia’s business expansion-RB

Beira key to Zambia’s business expansion-RB
Friday, August 20, 2010, 19:26

President Rupiah Banda speaking to Maputo City Governor Lucia Hama at national monument after laying wreath. President Rupiah Banda has said the port of Beira in Mozambique is key towards Zambia’s process of expanding her business through imports and exports.

President Banda said the port of Beira provides Zambia with the shortest sea route as compared to Durban, Cape Town East London in South Africa and Dar- Es- Salaam in Tanzania.

He said Zambia was exploring shorter ways to the sea coast because of her determination to expand business relations with other countries.

ZANIS reports from Mozambique that President Banda was speaking in Beira, Mozambique yesterday where he went to tour facilities at the port of Beira.

“We have already agreed as presidents of the two countries that it is our duty to ensure that everyone is involved in ensuring that these agreements are not only on paper. We really want to expand our business and Beira is our key to all this,” he said.

Yesterday, Zambia and Mozambique signed eight legal instruments, among them an agreement on communications and transport and a Memorandum of Understanding to establish ties of cooperation between chambers of commerce in the two countries.

The President said his visit to Mozambique was a demonstration of his Government’s commitment to expanding business relations with other countries.

He said there was need for leaders of the two neighbouring countries to expose themselves to some facilities that can boost economic growth in the region.

Mr. Banda said once the leaders of the two countries were exposed to such facilities, it would be easy for their citizens to appreciate their efforts of economically developing these nations through expanding business.

President Banda meanwhile noted that many Zambian citizens were ignorant of the port of Beira and what it could offer.

He has since challenged the media in both countries to help publicise the Beira port for the public to understand its potentials.

And speaking at the same occasion, Minister of Communications and Transport, Geoffrey Lungwangwa, disclosed that the Zambian government was contemplating building a rail line from Kafue in Zambia to Lions’ Den in Zimbabwe.

Professor Lungwangwa said the line will link Zambia to the port of Beira through Lions’ Den in Zimbabwe.

He said despite passing through Zimbabwe, the rail line will be the shortest route to the sea for Zambia.

He added that in future, the Chipata-Mchinji rail line may be extended to Tete in Mozambique.

Presisdent Banda is in Mozambique for a three day state visit.

ZANIS