Zambia and Ethiopia have signedtwo agreements in the fields of communication, water resourcemanagement and one Memorandum of Understating (MOU) between Zambia
Chamber of commerce and Industry and Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce
and Sectoral Associations.
The signing ceremony which was held at State house was witnessed by
President Edgar Lungu and the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister
Hailemariam Desalegn.
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Mulenga Kampamba singed
on behalf of Zambia while her counterpart Dr Negeri Lencho signed on
behalf of the Ethiopian government.
The Memorandum of Understanding-MOU between the two countries was
signed by Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice president
Andrew Sinyangwe and the president for the Addis Ababa Chamber of
commerce and Sectoral Associations Elias Geneti signed on behalf of
the association.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the signing ceremony Information and
Broadcasting Services Minister Mulenga Kampamba said the agreements
signed between the two countries in the fields ofcommunications are
aimed at improving the local content in the public broadcasters.
Mrs Kampamba further said the agreements will allow the exchange of
information and capacity building between Zambia and Ethiopia in the
media industry.
And Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice president Andrew
Sinyangwe said the MOU will help foster trade between the two
countries.
Mr Sinyangwe implored government to continue creating an enabling
environment for the private sector to thrive.
He noted that Zambia stands to benefit more from the technological
advancement attained by Ethiopia in the agriculture sector.
Earlier in the day President Lungu held closed talks with the visiting
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn at state house.
President Lungu assured Mr Desalegn of Zambia’s commitment in
enhancing trade relations between the two countries.
President Lungu said the peoples of Zambia and Ethiopia will benefit
more once trade is enhanced.
Why dont they sign 15 MOUs and 20 Agreements?
We sign so many of these things. What are they and what benefit is there for the countries?
The Ethiopian Prime Minister is widely known in the world of repression and arbitrary rule in Ethiopia. Currently most Ethiopians are seeking refugee in Europe because of repression in Ethiopia as people are denied freedom of movement, expression and belonging to a political group of their choice. Oromo people of Ethiopia are all almost in prison. That MOU need not extend to Zambia.