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Sichinga urges Zambians to take advantage of UNWTO meeting

Sichinga urges Zambians to take advantage of UNWTO meeting
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Mon 09 July 2012, 13:24 CAT

THE government will speed up the improvement of tourism infrastructure and related facilities ahead of next year's UNWTO general assembly, says commerce minister Bob Sichinga. And Sichinga says Livingstone residents must bear the consequences over their decision to elect an opposition member of parliament.

Speaking when he officiated at this year's Southern Province Tourism and Agriculture Commercial Show (STACSS) on Saturday, Sichinga said the government was committed to the development of Livingstone.

"…Zambia and Zimbabwe will next year in August co-host the 20th United Nations world Tourism Organisation General Assembly (UNWTO). You are all implored to take advantage of this rare opportunity and come up with initiatives that will assist government in successfully hosting this important event. The event will not only enhance your business opportunities but also assist Zambia market its tourism and investment potential to the international community not only during the period of the event but also beyond," Sichinga said.

He said programmes have been planned in order to stimulate private investments and growth in the tourism sector. "These will create jobs and reduce poverty for the majority of the people, particularly in the rural communities. The community and the general public is also therefore called upon to come up with initiatives that can contribute to poverty reduction and economic prosperity in the province and the country at large," he said.

Sichinga said this year's theme "Kumusanza: economic prosperity through harnessing the diverse potential" was also in line with governments reassurance in renewing its commitment to supporting the tourism industry through continued communication and cooperation with the private sector and the community.

He said the tourism industry has great potential for the country's economic prosperity and recovery through product diversification, job creation and its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.

And Sichinga said he hoped the newly-elected member of parliament for Livingstone, UPND's Reverend Howard Sikwela, would live up to the election promises.

"We welcome the new member of parliament and we hope he will stick to the election promises. We hope you will take responsibility of your consequences," Sichinga said.

And STACSS chairperson Joseph Mumbi said Southern Province has the potential to attain economic prosperity due to its diverse resource endowment.

"We would like to report that this year's show has attracted 34 corporate institutions, 18 government departments and agencies, six cooperative organisations, eight non-governmental organisations and 34 individual exhibitors in the 110 stands out of 250 have been taken up," Mumbi said.

He said the society faces a number of challenges which include low capital base, aged and inadequate infrastructure at the show grounds and lack of dedicated manpower due to financial constraints.

"We shall commence the process of acquiring title to this land which will enable interested developers to put up permanent and modern structures," said Mumbi.

Labels: ROBERT SICHINGA

posted by MrK @ 1:52 PM