Maravi

Government might close some foreign missions, says Lubinda

Government might close some foreign missions, says Lubinda
By Moses Kuwema
Wed 22 Feb. 2012, 12:01 CAT

FOREIGN affairs and tourism minister Given Lubinda says some of Zambia's missions abroad might not be relevant anymore and the government might consider closing them. In an interview, Lubinda said President Michael Sata had instructed him to conduct a thorough investigation and study of Zambia's foreign missions abroad. Lubinda said the study would be mapped in relation to Zambia's interest in the global economy.

"As you know, it is only him President Sata who can create positions such as those, so I will be making a report to him and he will give me directions. But the truth of the matter is that there are some areas, some regions of the world where our representation is very thin and some of these are growing tourists sources for us. They are important sources of our tourists and we obviously have to have a presence to market Zambia's tourism, but also there are areas which are growing in importance insofar as trade is concerned. So we also require representation," Lubinda said.

Lubinda said the world was dynamic and Zambia could not continue with the traditional missions.

"So this is an ongoing process but now I have been instructed to do a thorough investigation and study after which we will make a decision," said Lubinda.

Labels: EMBASSIES, GIVEN LUBINDA, MICHAEL SATA

posted by MrK @ 2:27 PM