Finance and National Planning Minister Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane has urged the International Finance Corporation (IFC)to partner with the Zambian government to develop Kasaba Bay into a major tourism attraction.
Dr. Musokotwane said Kasaba Bay can be developed into a major tourism attraction that can contribute to the sustainable economic growth of its people.
He said Kasaba Bay could easily turn into an international destination with appropriate infrastructure such as an airport, roads, power, accommodation, shopping facilities, electricity, water and telecommunication .
He added that Kasaba Bay could be very central to attract International Conferences and Meetings to its clients compared to other places in Southern and East Africa.
The minister said this at a meeting this afternoon with the IFC Vice President and Africa Management Team , Mr. Thiery Tanoh in Washington DC.
And Mr Tanoh said the IFC will send an expert from its Johannesburgh office before the end of May to assess whether Kasaba Bay can attract private sector involvement.
He agreed with Dr Musokotwane’s explanation that Kasaba Bay was indeed an important project to embark on.He also stated that IFC had mobilized funds for investment in sectors such as mining and telecommunications infrastructure.[quote]
Special Assistant to the President for Economic Development, Dr. Richard Chembe, Budget and Economic Affairs Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Ngulube attended the meeting.
Also in attendance were,Director (Financial Markets)at Bank of Zambia (BOZ) Peter Banda and Ambassador of Zambia to the United States of America, Dr. Inonge Mbikusita Lewanika.
This is contained in a release to ZANIS signed by Assistant Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in the U.S.A , Ben Kangwa.
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While you focus on Kasaba bay please also support measures that will keep Livingstone and the Falls attractive.
And while we are still struggling to boost our tourism industry, our friends in East Africa and the South are combining fascination & environmental responsibilty to enter a new era in African tourism.
Mr Minister before you go any further with your begging bowl you firstly have to do your side of the job.Construct good roads,rehabilitate/upgrade the airport(s) etc.
Blooger 1 . I agree that more needs to be done in Livingstone but i feel that maybe Goverment cant priotise all areas at the same time. Lets wait and see how thw Kasaba bay project will go and then evaluate whether Govt should use sector wire approaches or targeted.Blogger No 3 i believe the begging bowl is looking at all the issues you have mentioned