By KALONDE NYATI
GOVERNMENT has called on the African Development Bank (AfDB) to assist Zambia develop the Mpulungu harbour, which is an important trade corridor for the country with the Great Lakes region.
Meanwhile, Zambia is expected to host the annual AfDB meetings in 2016 aimed at addressing issues affecting the continent.
Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba, who made the request to AfDB president Donald Kuberuka at the just-ended annual AfDB meetings in Marrakesh, Morocco, said Zambia wants to collaborate with the bank in convening a mini-summit of the Great Lakes countries to agree on the development of Mpulungu Port.
“Zambia is desirous to collaborate with the bank in convening a mini-summit of the Great Lakes countries to get agreement on the development of Mpulungu Port as the route was an important corridor for trade between East Africa and Southern Africa,” he said.
This is contained in a report on the outcomes of the 2013 annual meetings of the AfDB group availed to the Daily Mail yesterday.
Mr Yamba said the AfDB has welcomed the proposed action and has since called on the regional director of the bank to implement the initiative.
Last year, AfDB announced that it had injected US$30 million into the upgrading of Mpulungu harbour infrastructure in Northern Province to improve the country’s accessibility to the Great Lakes regional market.
On Zambia hosting the 2016 AfDB meeting, Mr Yamba said this will enable Zambia to highlight its developmental needs to international financial leaders and multilateral organisations.
Cote d’Ivoire and Rwanda will host the 2014 and 2015 meetings, respectively.
Mr Yamba said the country’s opportunity to host the meetings is a clear sign of endorsement of the country’s stable political system and positive economic performance by the international community.
“Hosting of the meetings sends positive signals to the investor community. It should be noted that a number of investors and financial institutions are present at meetings as they follow member state delegations,” he said.
Mr Yamba also said the development will boost revenue for tourism and transport sectors.
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