Friday, March 29, 2024

Zambia and Mozambique sign instruments

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Communication and Transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa

The governments of Zambia and Mozambique have yesterday signed eight legal instruments on bilateral relations which will enhance the living standards of the people of the two countries in many areas.

And President Rupiah Banda and President Armando Guebuza have reaffirmed their governments’ commitment to ensure that the instruments that have been signed are implemented for the benefit of the two countries’ citizens.

The instruments include agreements on transport and communications, tourism and civil aviation and five memorandums of understanding (MoU).

The MoUs are on mineral resources, education, disaster management and early warning, establishment of cooperation ties between chambers of commerce of the two countries and the last one on exchange of students of National Institute of Mozambique and Diplomacy Institute of Zambia.

Minister of Communications and Transport Geoffrey Lungwangwa signed the instruments on behalf of the Zambian government while Mozambique Minister of Foreign Affairs Oldemiro Baloi and Paulo Zucula, Minister of Communication and Transport for Mozambique signed for their country.

The signing of these instruments at the Office of the President of Mozambique was preceded by private talks by the two presidents and discussions by ministers and government officials from the two countries.

At the State Banquet held at the Ponta Vermelha Palace, an official residence of the President of Mozambique, President Banda said the instruments will further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

He said the two countries share a lot of cultural, political, social and economic relations hence the need for them to increase their cooperation in many areas of economic and political development.

He said the two countries have made a lot of progress in many areas, including the central banks’ plans to repatriate their local currencies when trading.

President Banda said this will undoubtedly increase the two countries’ wealth and consequently improve the living standards of their peoples.

He has also praised Mr. Guebuza for promoting good and democratic governance in his country.

Earlier, President Guebuza congratulated President Banda for being elected to chair a SADC committee on defence and security policy, saying this will help improve peace situation in some countries of the Southern African region.

He paid profound tribute to the role Zambia and her citizens played in helping liberate a number of countries in the region.

He said Lusaka was and will remain in the political liberation dictionary of many countries in Southern African region because of hosting many freedom fighters from other countries.

He added that Zambia was one country that was key in the promotion of regional integration.

President Guebuza also praised Zambia for her economic growth registered in the recent past and expressed confidence that President Banda’s leadership will further enhance these developments.

President Banda, who arrived yesterday morning in Maputo for a three day state visit, will today travel to Beira to tour facilities at the port in the northern part of the country.

First Lady of Zambia, Thandiwe Banda and her Mozambican counterpart, Maria da Luz Dai Guebuza, also attended the State banquet hosted in President Banda’s honour by Mr. Guebuza.

ZANIS

12 COMMENTS

  1. This is a joke right,just how many agreements is our host in the air going to sign before we kick him out of the office.Am reliably told he is leaving for Gabon next week to sign more meaningless agreements.

  2. What happened to the so called advisors they should have remind him that today is the memorial for the late Galant leader man of rare principles Levy.P.Mwanawasa m.h.s.r.i.p.Lwangwangwa should have signed those agreements whilst he video conference with his Mozambiaque counter part.

  3. Since we don’t have a national airline, why don’t we turn the challenger into Air RB, then we can catch rides wherever RB goes and pay for them! At least by the end on the year Air RB would have made a profit!

  4. I support RB for making this trip(that doesn’t mean I like you Banda). It will benefit Zambia alot especially regarding these thing: As a landlocked country, Zambia is reliant on Mozambique for access to sea trade opportunities on the Indian ocean.The Beira port was currently being dredged to allow larger vessels to enter the harbour.

    The Sena railway line leading to Mozambique’s north-western province, Tete, was also being upgraded.

    The line was destroyed during Mozambique’s civil war, which lasted from 1978 to 1992.

    The railway and Beira port would also serve as link from Zambia to the Indian ocean.

  5. “He said the two countries have made a lot of progress in many areas, including the central banks’ plans to repatriate their local currencies when trading.”

    This will surely make trade between the two nations easier and more smooth. It’ll also provide more options for those who like to take risks and invest in currency. This is a good move.

    “President Banda, who arrived yesterday morning in Maputo for a three day state visit, will today travel to Beira to tour facilities at the port in the northern part of the country.”

    This is also good as this will provide an alternative sea route hopefully at a cheaper cost. Zambia is surely getting more options in terms of sea routes. We have Dar es Salaam, soon Windhoek and hopefully Beira. Great news.

  6. Well we stand to gain a lot if we can start using the Mozambique route to the sea. It is the shortest. We should also link our tourism activities. As for whether it is the president who should perosnalyy go and sighn these agreement, i do not know.
    However i am aware that whenver a President is involved in negotiations personally, it raises the urgency and seriousness attached

  7. Do you mean that all our previous presidents DID NOT sign similar agreements in the past?

    And can someone advise Zambian Ministers to be active especially men. They look FAT and unhealthy. Do some gym,play golf etc.

  8. sorry…#5 should be Walvis Bay and not Windhoek.

  9. Motsepe
    Probably not. As you different circumstnces call for different strategies and different leaders take diffrent routes. It may not have been nesecary or a priority at the time. But I dont know just speculating

  10. As a zambian, i need to know what has changed as a result of these agreements. If i am planning to do business in Mozambique, what is it that i was previously required to do which i now wont be. If not then it is a waste of time and money. RB is just galavanting. One day that big head will come tumbling down.

  11. If you vote him back next year he will be taking an average of one to two tours of duty per week for five years! Cost of flying, paying the pilots, his entourage, acting Presidents and others for five years …..!

  12. Kwahae,

    I disagre with your tone and language but I entirely agree that we the public, the tax payer, should be made aware of the precise conrents of the agreements and how it benefits us.

    At least for Brazil we know that we dont need visa’s anymore but thats inadequate. We need much more information

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