President, Rupiah Banda, says government will make effective use of foreign missions abroad to strengthen bilateral relations with other countries in view of the immense challenges resulting from the current global economic recession.
President Banda has since advised Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kabinga Pande, to ensure full utilisation of the existing ‘open-door policy’ in efforts of strengthening bilateral ties for the economic benefit of the country.
“We are in the midst of a world financial melt-down which has not spared developed and developing countries, therefore I appeal to you Excellencies to continue supporting Zambia and working closely with my government to addressing the adverse effects of melt-down on our people,” President Banda said.
He said the ministry of foreign affairs should double its efforts in creating a platform for enhanced interaction of diplomats with the government to help address challenges affecting national economic development.
The President was speaking at State House today at a private reception organised for heads of foreign missions in Zambia.
“I implore the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his team to double their efforts in making sure that Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited were not hampered but interact freely with relevant wings of government,” he said.
” Your Excellencies, you will recall that during my budget speech to parliament last month, my administration spelt out what we intend to achieve during my tenure of office and my government appreciates that we cannot achieve all the set goals without your support hence my government attaches great importance with other countries,” he said.
He appealed to Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Zambia to partner with government in efforts of reducing the negative effects of the global economic crunch on the Zambian economy.
President Banda said his government appreciates the support from cooperating partners in efforts of achieving economic growth through enhanced investment and trade.
In a vote of thanks, Dean of Diplomatic Corps Khalifa O’mar Swiexi commended President Banda for showing commitment to further strengthen Zambia’s relations with other countries.
Mr. Swiexi, who is also Libyan Ambassador to Zambia, expressed confidence that President Banda would use his vast experience in diplomacy to better the Zambia’s bilateral ties for the economic benefit of the people.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande, said plans are underway by the Zambian government to open more missions abroad.
He said strengthening bilateral ties can be achieved if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs doubles its efforts in making sure that diplomatics interact freely with wings of government by way of easing barriers that impede the progression of the economy of Zambia.
Mr. Banda implored the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kabinga Pande to make sure that government removes barriers that may hinder the fully utilisation of strengthening interactions between Zambia and other countries.
He said government appreciated the support of the corporating partners to achieve the intended goals so that Zambia becomes a safe region and a better place to for conducting trade and attracting investment opportunities.
He noted that Zambia enjoys warm and cordial relationship with other countries hence Zambia’s call to strengthening her ties abroad.
President Banda further called for increased co-operation between Zambia and other countries adding that government attaches great importance with other countries.
ZANIS/KC/ENDS/SJK..
He is a very useless president
why foreign missions? whats the interest? Please Banda come home? first home abroad later. you re not african union president. after all ur days are gone u cant be Kaunda of the 21st century. spend the remaining meager years of your life pa zed. but life can cheat bamudala ba ona ati mayears aliko…munasila muli pa last page soon mugena mu index… :-?:-?:-?:-?:-?:-?:-?:-?
Mr. Bigga Head, clean up de mess inside yu house first before you step outside, seen?
Is like yu powder yu face & left yu head back. Weh de blood!
government will make effective use of foreign missions abroad to strengthen bilateral relations with other countries in view of the immense challenges resulting from the current global economic recession.
HE HAD JUST WOKEN UP FROM SLUMBER, I WONDER IF MOST OF THESE PEOPLE WE HAVE IN FOREIGN SERVICE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TO THE ABOVE..
But RB ensure that you appoint these ambassadors and high commisioners on merit or you risk being arrested for corruption when you are out of office.
Can someone please give us a “count” how many trips president Banda has made since becoming president and how much it cost the Tax payers.
u just want to keep wasting tax payers money on our little air force one, ala! stay home n work on developin the place
There is something wrong with Zambian govt.
How can a counrty like Zambia have one diplomatic mission in Japan representing Zambians in Australia, Newzealand and China to name a few? **==wake up! how can donors easily reach/assist you if you have to contact Zambian Embassy in Japan first?
A very humble and objective president you are. Foreighn policy is key big man.
#s 1 to 7 read the article again. Otherwise 8 & 9 are okay and I support your views.
#10 Are you leaving in a fantasy world of your own? RB needs to reduce is trips in this financial difficult times. He is making allowances on his own but the villagers who voted for him are starving. He needs to sort out some problems for ordinary citizens.
Some of his trips are cost zambian s’ taxpayers money for nothing.
Awe twabwelapofye aba bena
#11 You are reading out context. The issue is not RB travelling. It is about the foreign missions in Zambia working with our government ministries. Do not be so negative that you fail to even to read properly. I know and understand as a finance person that it is at a great cost that we pay for those trips. The issue here is; What does the government and indeed the people of Zambia benefit from the cooperation of the foreign missions in Zambia and the ministries. Are the missions relevant to the ordinary Zambian?
JM (#s 10& 13), Iam with you totally. mOST Bloggers on this site are frustrated with ‘ i don’t know what’. Theirs is to condemn whatever Presido Banda says. No positive criticism at all, at all. Like #1, all he says is ” He is a useless President” without giving us reasons why he is useless. THIS CHEAP BLOGGING.
Sir, you will not achieve much if your government continues sending ignoramuses into the diplomatic service. There are complex issues involved in International Relations a certain level of intellect is needed to handle them.
#9 William your comment is shallow and easy to say.
After more than 3 months of RB in office, can you look around Zambia and tell me anything he has changed for the better?
I may not be there but all I keep hearing is bad news which keeps getting worse. We don’t want to see bootlickers on this blog, I think we have enough in the government begging to be recognizeed.
I wonder what he is talking about,if he thinks foriegn missions are that vital,he should help pay out the water bill at the Zambian High Commission in London so that they get reconnected.We musebanya we :-w
Mr.RBB are you appearing for invitation letters? Just wait, you are going next week to….I end here because I do not want you to fire someone about this information. Pa Zed palakubaba ngawaikala without going out. Remember to buy a red rose flower for me and give it to my wife first lady Tandi (all easterners are God given wives). Tell her I care.
RB I have a problem with your foreign policy and your brains!!:o:o
Bwezani please ulefibikako panshi, lyonse fyakwendela mumwela. Bakakwafwa. Now in English, Bwezani should find time to rest his items, evrytime he is the only president visiting other countries and doesn’t say the essence of such trips. He will end up been helped by another Darling Mwape. He likes first Ladies, asked ba former.
It seems it does not benefit me to blog. All I find are insults, and students studying and who think they have learned more than others. No constructive criticisms. You can not build a nation like this.
Well……well…..well…….?
I think, it is this kind of reasoning that is choking people. These countries have never shown any willingness to help even when we sacrificed a lot for them. What will Malawi or even SA give us??. We just have to solve our own problems. Oh Oh, the other thing,our Presido, was in the foreign mission and so his strength could be anticipated to be there. Hey, but sorry, these problems are bigger than that and I think frankly that foreign affairs offers much. It has never been able to create value as some people may be attempted to think. If anything it is a liability just like a car……..
You need to first, have astrategy and real business and then use the embassies to propagate that. You dont just create an imperation that we can raise money through embassies. Is it the reason that you even changed passports. Guys we are in trouble. So the solutions to the problems lie in embassies and raising passport fees????
May be King Fred should be made (or appointed) special adviser to RB. By adviser, I mean for his wadrobe.
Bwenzani ifywa kumwena kubukulu teka ko ama tako panshi. 3 months in office and yet you have been travelled like you have ruled for 3 years takwaba. Nigeria, Libya, Ethopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Mfuwe, Kasaba bay, Your farm in Chipata, Kasama.
Next time you will be in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Kenya, Sudan, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Mali, Senegal, Chad, Somalia etc and then end of your term plus going to jail for corraption and abuse of office
25,
You left out Angola – where he went to have lunch before proceeding to the Addis Ababa for AU summit. What a waste of taxpayer’s money
Now speaking of foreign missions being important & all.When are they going to start working on the Auditor General’s report about corrupt fellows in foreign missions??The fight against corruption needs to be extended there to so as to weed out the corrupt elements and bring them to book.Not just Nyirongo..LOL
In this fast changing world we have to utelise the information technology and that means better training for our foreign mission staff maximise the use of internet, swift response and efficiency. President Banda, must make use of a think tank. If we don’t have one, create it. We shouldn’t concentrate, only, on foreign investors. Charity begins at home. Ignore home investors at your peril.
The mentality in Zambia needs a revamp, our government is forever begging for help,and i think that is a mentallity that certain africans have hich has been sadly adopted by our government, foreigners bring money and we should ask for assistant. We are a desparate nation,no pride, no shame and no courage. What is going on with the taxpayer’s money? RB should visit all the zambian embassies abroad and see what a shambles they are. We need to start doing things for ourselves,show support for our own people, encourage local investors and creative freedom stand on our own two feet that’s what government lacks, vision and intelligence.
*which (2nd line)
What is wrong with RP saying “government will make effective use of foreign missions abroad to strengthen bilateral relations with other countries in view of the immense challenges resulting from the current global economic recession” Why do people misinterprate other people hornest statements. Come on Zambians give credit where ever it due.
“President, Rupiah Banda, says government will make effective use of foreign missions abroad to strengthen bilateral relations with other countries in view of the immense challenges resulting from the current global economic recession.”
Now that you have realised this fact Mr President RB Banda, could you please let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handle the business of bi-lateral relations while you stop global trotting and save some money for our financially troubled Nation Zambia. Otherwise, close the Zambian Missions abroad and continue with your global trotting to all neigbouring countires including the rest.
Foreign Missions are al filled to the brim with LPM and MCCI’s relatives! Ifyabupuba !
Finance minister did not mentionabout $3.5m for new shocks for the Presido Challenger Jet !
i fell this is anew policy to attract more foreign investers, good job Mr President =d>