The Embassy of Zambia in Sweden has partnered with the Finnish-Zambian Association (Fin-Zam) with plans to embark on a series of ambitious social and economic projects involving Zambian and Finnish organizations and individuals.
The planned activities will see the association, in collaboration with the Embassy, host business promotional events involving Zambian and Finnish companies from various economic sectors, among several other projects.
According to a statement issued to the media by Zambia Embassy to Sweden Counsellor Nicky Shabolyo, the Finland-based association has since split its operations and created three segments namely, Sustainable development department, Tradition and Culture, and one to take care of Education and Charity issues.
The statement stated that Zambia’s Ambassador to Sweden, also accredited to Finland, Rose Salukatula, welcomed the initiative, pledging the Embassy’s full support to Fin-Zam as it rolls out its programmes.
Ambassador Salukatula noted that the efforts by Zambians were what the Embassy has been looking forward to.
She advised that the Embassy will be available and do everything within its capacity to help Fin-Zam achieve the objectives of the projects that it has lined-up.
The Ambassador observed that as much as Zambians and other nationals relied on the Embassy for various services, the Embassy also depended on Zambians and other friendly nationals in countries to which it is accredited in order to achieve its objectives.
“We see this as a partnership that will enable both the Embassy and the association achieve objectives which, apparently, are of common interest to both of us,” she said.
Ms Salukatula added that the collaboration will also make it easier for them to roll-out government programs to people in that region.
And Fin-Zam chairperson, Benjamin Musuku pointed out that his association embarked on an ambitious path of rebranding itself in order to align its goals and objectives to prevailing needs and interests.
Mr Musuku noted that the creation of the three specialized departments was part of the rebranding and transformation process.
He further noted that the Sustainable Development Department will focus on initiating projects to foster sustainable development in the Zambian sectors dealing with energy, the environment and climate, commerce and trade, water and tourism.
He added that the Education and Charity Department will look into promoting early childhood education and enhancing academic relations between Finland and Zambia.
Mr Musuku explained that the third department will focus on tourism and culture, aiming at promoting Zambian culture in the Nordic region through performances and workshops.
“We have since launched some projects under each of these departments such as the Fin-Zam Expo 2020. We also have the ‘Fin-Zam Bright Zambia’ project which has been launched under the Education and Charity Department to identify 100 most vulnerable children in Zambia and sponsor them to school beginning this year as a way of complimenting the Zambian government efforts,” he further added.
He indicated that Fin-Zam Student Affairs has been launched with the objective of supporting arriving and departing students or staff between Finland and Zambia.
Mr Musuku highlighted that the scope extends to building Alumni networks and promoting academic possibilities between the two countries.
He disclosed that Fin-Zam had engaged the Embassy to start work on preparations to host the first ‘Fin-Zam Expo 2020’ in Helsinki on 23rd October, 2020, as part of this year’s Zambia’s Independence Day commemoration which fell on 24 th October, 2020.
He said the event planned under the theme: ‘Business opportunities and Tourism in Zambia’ had to be postponed to next year due to the current restrictions arising from the coronavirus pandemic..
Mr Musuku further pointed out that a cultural ensemble has been formed under the Tradition and Culture Department, which will be holding performances and workshops in schools, public gatherings and government events as a way of educating people about Zambian culture.
He described Fin-Zam as a not-for-profit organization that aims at fostering bilateral relationships between Finland and Zambia, and promotes the well-being of Zambians living in Finland.
The Expo is intended to have companies, organizations and individuals from Zambia travelling to Helsinki where they would have a platform from which to explore opportunities and forge networks with others interested in carrying out development projects and business ventures between Zambia and Finland.
The Expo will also be used for the promotion of Zambian tourism.
In terms of population, Finland is a very small country compared to Zambia. Finns number less than 10 million, perhaps just five million. In EU terms, it’s a small country with no past colonial mastery. By coming out to Zambia, they’re looking for friends in the world beyond Europe and they want to understand us and us to understand them.
I have not read anything tangible or concrete here its just launching projects on paper hoping to attract funding
Why ba LT display this old archived photo reminding us of the sad episode involving the gentleman on the left in a sleeveless top. He was jailed earlier this year by a Swedish court for various s&x offences! He has a 14 year sentence to serve …
@ Nsimbi, hahaha hilarious!! Indeed nothing sounds tangible in this article.
Watch your projects closely ,
People like KZ are lychers living off Zambians hard work…..
International credit raters have rated Zambia to junk status. World Bank and IMF have said Zambias debt is not sustainable. Zambian government agencies have put inflation at an astronomical figure of 17%. The IMF is dilly dallying to help us because they believe we have mismanaged the economy. There has been covid in all countries but their currencies have not depreciated by 50% in a single year the way the Zambian currency has done, it shows that we have a peculiar problem, most likely leadership. I am not a cadre of any party because I don’t trust any party. But these issues are real and we don’t take them seriously. If we were serious as Zambians, do you think Bowman would be popular in Kabushi where poverty is well above 80% with a youth unemployment of over 90%….
Really sad my friend is in jail. Anyway, just 12 more years, come out with 2 PhD.
Prisons in Sweden is like a holiday at a 4 star lodge.
“…to host the first ‘Fin-Zam Expo 2020’ in Helsinki on 23rd October, 2020”
How old is this article?
Dont dramatise things, you cant drive anything with Donor Aid. We are just grateful to the people of Finland for their support.
But we also need to put our house in order and remove that sh*twhore from state house that has made us default on our debt and left us dependent on Donir Aid.
Who steals the money? Where has all money donated to Esther Lungu foundation gone and done for women and girls?
They should stop lending our corrupt governments money. Lend them infrastructure!
A European analyst Mark Mobius thinks
Western loans need to stop being used to support government bureaucracies. Instead, lenders need to focus on roads, bridges, power infrastructure and expanding Internet access, Mobius says from Dubai: “People survive in the informal market and we need to support them with infrastructure. These are the things that help the small guys do business.”