9 member delegation from the African Development Bank arrives in Zambia

A nine (9) member delegation from the African Development Bank (AfDB) headquarters in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, arrives in Zambia today for a series of meetings with Government and other stakeholders on Zambia’s ongoing preparations to host the Bank’s Annual meeting scheduled to take place from 23th to 27th May, 2016.

The delegation which touches down at 14:00 hours at KK international airport aboard Emirates airline, comprises, among others, the Bank’s experts in media and communication, conference infrastructure, protocol, transport and information communication technology, ICT. It is led by Mr Olivier Pinzi, Director at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan.

This is the second time the AfDB mission is coming to Zambia in a space of six months as Government intensifies preparations to host the Bank’s high level annual gathering to be attended by over 4,000 delegates from Africa and beyond.

While in the country, the delegation’s week-long programme includes meetings with officials at the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transport and Communication and members of various technical sub-committees in the ongoing preparations for Zambia’s hosting of the 2016 AfDB among them media and communication, tourism and hospitality, protocol, health and investment and promotion.

Field visits to KK international airport, the main entry and exit point for foreign delegates coming for the conference, Mulungushi international conference centre, venue for the conference, and hotels and other hospitality facilities earmarked to accommodate the thousands of delegates expected to converge on Lusaka for the conference, is also high on the AfDB delegation’s programme while in the country.

The delegation will wrap up its mission to Zambia on 25th January with a meeting with Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba and depart the following day back to Abidjan.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is a multi-lateral development finance institution established to contribute to the economic development and social progress of African countries.

Founded in 1964, the Bank’s mission is to fight poverty and improve living conditions on the continent through promoting investment of public and private capital in projects and programmes that contribute to the economic and social development of the continent.

Zambia is one of the 54 member states of the AfDB and current chair of the Bank’s Board of Governors through Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda. (more… next page)
Government has since stepped up its preparations for Zambia’s hosting of the 2016 AfDB annual meeting.

With the approval of Cabinet, a Committee of Permanent Secretaries chaired by Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba, was recently appointed to spearhead preparations for Zambia’s hosting of this high level meeting.

The Committee comprises among others Permanent Secretary – Policy Analysis and Coordination Division at Cabinet Office, Permanent Secretary – Economic Management and Finance at the Ministry of Finance, Permanent Secretary, Budget and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Home Affairs and Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Health.

Others are Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Works and Supply, Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Transport and Communication, Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Tourism and Arts.

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Commissioner-General – Zambia Revenue Authority and the Governor of the Bank of Zambia, are also members of the Committee.