President Ian Khama of Botswana has called for improvement of goods and services in southern Africa to enhance competitiveness in the region.
Lieutenant-General Khama has also said the bilateral and trade relationship between Botswana and Zambia has continued to grow over the past five years for the benefit of the people in the two neighbouring countries.
Speaking when officially opening the 46th Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola yesterday, President Khama called for diversification of economies in the region in order to create competitiveness and growth.
“Let us restructure our economies so that we can diversify and create competitiveness and I want to commend the Zambian government for the manner they handled the country’s economy during the global financial crisis,” President Khama said.
He said the 6.3 percent economic growth Zambia recorded is as a result of diversification and good policies put in place by Government.
President Khama said small, medium and large-scale entrepreneurs are key to the growth of any country’s economy.
He also said that regional integration will not be achieved without improvement of communication in Southern African Development Community (SADC).
President Khama commended Zambia for supporting the construction of Kazungula bridge to link Zambia and Botswana across the Zambezi River in Kazungula.
“We shall not be able to achieve regional integration if we do not improve communication and that is why we should support construction of Kazungula Bridge,” President Khama said.
“Zambia and Botswana have a special relationship, founded by our founding fathers of the two countries and there is need for us to build on this for the benefit of our people,” he said.
President Khama said the planned introduction of direct flights from Lusaka to Gaborone in August this year will increase trade between the two countries.
He has also called for respect of tenets of democracy by elected leaders in the SADC region.
He said SADC leaders should work together in protecting the economic and political stability in the region.
“Elected leaders have a duty to protect the economic and political stability of the region. We also need to practice good democracy by respecting the will of the people,” Gen. Khama said.
Speaking earlier, President Banda said Zambia and Botswana have continued to enjoy cordial and bilateral relations for the benefit of the people in the two countries.
Mr Banda said the two countries will continue to work together for the benefit of people in Zambia and Botswana.
“Botswana is truly a sister-country and it is united with the people of Zambia in many areas including blood and culture…and the way we solve problems,” Mr Banda said.
Earlier, President Banda led hundreds of people and dignitaries to receive Gen. Khama at the Ndola International Airport.
Gen. Khama was accorded a 21-gun salute before he inspected a guard of honour.
Later, President Khama, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Kabinga Pande, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati and Minister of Home Affairs Mkhondo Lungu, toured selected stands at the ZITF.
Among stands he toured were those for the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, National Pensions Scheme Authority, Zesco Limited, Energy Regulation Board, Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry and the Bank of Zambia.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
