President Levy Mwanawasa has called on the G 8 countries to live up to their promises and scale up Aid to Africa.
President Mwanawasa said one of the African development issues that needs to be presented at the forth coming G 8 summit in Japan is the need for the G8 to fulfill their promise of scaling up aid to Africa.
Dr Mwanawasa was speaking in Yokohama today during the official opening of the fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development {TICAD 1V).
Speaking during a plenary presentation, Dr Mwanawasa also emphasized on the need for infrastructure development in Africa.
He said although there was a lot of trade potential in Africa, there was no function communication link between nations.
“There is a lot of trade potential between Zambia and her neighbor, Angola, but there is no functioning communication link between the two countries, hence the need for this development,” said Dr Mwanawasa.
Dr Mwanawasa pointed out that infrastructure constraints such as energy and logistics were holding the nation back and may continue to do so if measures are not taken.
Dr Mwanawasa further called on the private sector from the rich world to change their perceptions about the business risks in Africa.
He said the G8 should not see investments into Africa as a threat to them saying such investment will enhance Africa’s buying power and thereby increase the global market opportunities.
President Mwanawasa also called for the promotion of South to South cooperation and urged Africans to take advantage of the TICAD facilitation to encourage investors from Asia and other continents to invest in Africa.
Dr. Mwanawasa said since the last TICAD in 2003, Zambia has taken practical steps to encourage south to south cooperation and faster economic growth.
He explained that through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, JICA, Zambia has hired an experienced retired official from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority to help with specific measures to create a conducive regulatory environment for investment.
He added that the country has earmarked selected parts for special economic areas called Multi Facility Economic Zones (MFEZ).
The President further explained that design work for a 2,000 hector MFEZ is underway in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka.
He said the project whose construction will start in 2009, is being done jointly by the Japanese firm and a Malaysian firm, underscoring the importance of South to South cooperation under the TICAD framework.
The Conference which has seen 52 Heads of State and Government from Africa attending the meeting has attracted 3000 delegates, which include 16 African regional organizations, 22 donor countries and 55 international organizations.
TICAD 1V is being held under the theme ‘Towards a Vibrant Africa: Continent of Hope and Opportunity.’
Among the 52 African leaders are South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki, Tanzania’s Jakaya Kikwete, Malawi’s Mbingu Wamutalika, Namibia’s Hifikepunye Pohamba and Armando Guebuza of Mozambique.
Others are Yoweri Museni of Uganda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, King Mswati of Swaziland and Prime minister of Lesotho, Pakalitha Mosisili.
What promises? For God`s sake stop it Mr President. I wish America, UK, German, and a few othes could just stand up and say enough is enough. Just how much money have they given us since MMD came into power? Silly Bush should just say sorry chaps, I am not going to give Africa any more money after all he has got his own problems at the moment with te economy.
Grow up and stop asking for handouts Africa. Well, we know they only end up in a few peoples` pockects any way.
In an any case, we don’t need aid, but fair trade and investment. African leaders seem not to know what they want. So many contradictions.
Chips what we need is a way to survive on our own. How are we going to say we are developing when we are still talking about them giving us aid?
You know what ? Two days ago I found a guava fruit selling at €2.00 in one of the shops here. Wha!I said to myself, I will get reach since Pa back home has four great trees with fantastic tasty guaves. But who is going to allow me sell them here with their policies. If its from a Musungu producing them especially in south africa or kenya, the products will found access into their shops here in the dispora, but from a bantu, forget it ! That is what we should start fighting against instead of waiting for hand outs – with strings attached to them. FAIR TRADE POLICIES !!!!
NO.1, dont be petty and ridiculous, when levy said scale up aid he didn’t say he wants more money he was asking them to live up to the trade agreement of gleneagles in which they were purpoted to have cancelled africa’s debt, which they actually didn’t do. Its disappointing to think that as africans u think that ur leaders only go to beg for money at these summits, thats why the white man generalises africans as the downtrodden race because of weak pessimistic people like NO.1&3. U disappoint me how can u say we need to survive on our own? No man is an island and there is no country that u can point out in the world that can do well on its own without trade.
/cont…. as for u NO.2 u started well but to dismiss our leaders by saying they contradict themselves and dont know what they want is rather unfortunate. The price of oil was just over $30 a barrel and now it is $130+, for a country that does not produce oil we are price takers and this has an adverse effect on our economic policies. However i would like to think that zambia as a model country has done well over the years because of good leadership and sound fiscal policies. We can be proud that our balance of payments has improved as such our unit of exchange is stronger investers are making money and we are making more money due to the new tax thresholds don’t be cynical.
Moderate (5&6) stop shouting and yeah chances are you are one of the very few who are doing well in Zed. Just because you are doing well doesn`t mean all is well in Zed.
You will haff and puff but the fact is this world will never see fair trade for as long as our leaders are still talking about this. You sound learned and a racist I am afraid.
What has the Kwacha gaining strength benefited the country when our president is still going to be talking about the west keeping their promises? It shows we are still dependent on them. I am sorry, but for as long as we are still going to be dependent on them, then forget about development.
Contd. (Moderate) Do not be ridiculous. You sound like you are a son of an MMD minister or something. It is not about MMD alone, it is about Africa. Look at Zimbabwe and yeah South Africa now! Does that tell a story? You have talked about the price of oil, sorry you have to realise it`s not Zed alone that has been hit by this. Tell you what, the cost of a kg sugar in Zed at the moment is almost twice more than that in the UK and that, for a country which can not even grow a cane. Do not even start me on that.
You are 100% right i am doing extremely well under this govt. its a pity u have not used used ur wits to exploit the favourable economic conditions to ur advantage i have no remorse 4 lazy people like u who expect to receive handouts from govt (abana ba mpofu). i know u are mesmerised by my inter continental swagger but dont mistake me for a govt officials son i am far too independent than that. The strength of the kwacha was ur only +ve argument which i can tell u has made our exports i.e copper and tourism competitive hence more GDP and social benefits e.g free education, health: reduction in the aids infection rate i can go on but there is no space mind you how
many 3rd world countries can boast like zambia that there is 900 million lying in the treasury and nobody knows what to do with it? when was the last time zambia said something like that or have we ever said that? 4 the rest of ur contentions i suggest u go back 2 my comments and semantically understand what i said then maybe you will get closure otherwise i’m done with u NO.8 u are a layman. Dont call me racist because i have slept with too many white and asian women.
Mr. Bigga Head (President): a promise is a comfort to a fool. Seen?
ba rasta and your parables of self comfort, religion is the opium of the masses so if u are suffering and waiting for jah or selassie to come and rescue you continue waiting but dont bring your tuma words of rastafari in the hope that u can kick knowledge. Go and talk to your fellow mad people who are more fools for moving with sacks of rubbish, amashilu as they are known, this is not zion go talk ur marijuana fuelled gibberish among ur brethrens, u are just a wannabe jew with no sense of direction that weed u smoke is just making u go round and round in circles. U were promised the reincarnation of selassie, upto now u are still waiting, whatagwan, whose the fool now blood?
Moderate why are you so touchy? You may have a point about your GDP and the likes which to be honest I do not even understand but shouting will not make you be heard. Calm down. So you have slept with a lot of White and Asian girls? Chances are you are not in Zambia and do not even argue that point. Tell me why are you not in Zed? If you are talking about free education and health then you are a deluded person more close to the one you have yapped about in one of your posts. Have ever been to the UTH, Kitwe and Ndola central Hospitals? Why do gevernment officials get flown to South Africa for treatment? This is the question you should be asking yourself.
Contd/ moderate: It`s not long ago that my relative was admitted to UTH and was told to bring her own plates, mattress and water to drink. The hospital bathrooms have no running water. The conditions are pathetic. I have been lucky to see a few more African countries and unfortunately they are all just about the same. Stop being an ***** and get real.
Do not insult people especially on MBs because you do not even know who they are. Just because one is a minister in the Zimbabwe government being paid millions does not mean all is well in Zimbabwe. Grow up. You are lucky you do not have relatives like mine who go to the UTH you girl pants.
Moderate the fact that we are on Lusakatimes.com and all the adverts` currency are in Pounds should tell you a story. Why not Misisi compound this, Kabwata this and yeah the currency-Kwacha. As long as this keeps happening we will always be dependent and carry on asking like our president is doing at the “minute”.
#12 Foolish talk! You have no overstanding, bwoy. Rasta hold firm meditation and see tings clear! Me nuh know which mad man you mean, but if you come meet I man, you probably find a better friend than you ever had. Rasta is more than just smoke herb and shout RastafarI- Rasta is share and care, spiritual reality and no religion. I man hail King Selassie as the Lion of Judah come to liberate I and I from white opression. Every nation hail dem kings, de Italians hail Ceasar, de British hail Elisabeth, but when de Black man hail Selassie I, Babylon start to vex! Full time now all unnu start respect Rasta Livity!
15 and 16: lol………….hehe heehheeee u guys are desperate to make ur points heard, but i for one will not be swayed by petty rhetoric or religious doctrines. I am a lawyer working for a corporate firm in zambia and for my first assignment i earned K23.5m on top of my salary thus far no.15 u are not in my league. Bun Dem Dream u de act like a *****…. U de say lion of judah come liberate me and u from white man oppression, okay i believe u but me still think ur religious contentions is suspect none of y’all brethrens can prove the lion of judah is on his way better yet none of y’all can show me that creation exists, modern day rasses aint tough like menelik or tewodros all y’all
/cont……. brethrens gotta be strong and analyse the white man then strike, y’all gotta be like michael x dont live fantasies y’all betta respect yourself and check urself son, tendancies make u look like a batty bwoy bambaclat!!
I knew I was dealing with a yob who would rush into just what you have done, how much they earn and all that. Why talk about how little you made in your first assignment? Got you where I wanted son. Why are you on about white this white that? Not all of them are what you little saddo think they are. You have conviniently stired away from the free education and health issue you started. It only shows how simple minded you are. My heart bleeds to see a young girl spending the whole morning hitch hiking to go to school. It is simple minded people like you I saw the last time I came to Zed going past them when there were four seats empty in the car.
Contd\. moderate you are a little prat who is selfish and deluded. Chances are you were no there when Zambia was Zambia. I was in class with a bloke who came from Chipata and was given a schorlaship by ZCCM because he did very well at grade 7 exams. Now that is free education. Ask me where he is now! Do you think people like him would be where he is now? You are a very simple ***** who thinks they have seen it all because they have made a simple K23.5 million pounds. There are Zambians who are on £75 000 Per year for your information but it still hurts to have relatives ging to UTh only to be asked to bring own plates, mattress and wer to drink. Thank God I am not like you.
Oopss! Had to be : a simple K23.5 million
:relatives going to UTH
:mattress and water to drink!
Oops! Looks like you guys forgot what we are talking about.
Interesting that LTM has hired a retired official from the Malaysian government. Malaysia gained independence from Britain around the same time as Zambia(10 years earlier maybe)Look at their economy now.What happened to Zambian economy? I dont remember anyone giving Malaysia any aid. Maybe aid is not the answer.
Moderate, me bredda, me can see you have a lion heart. You is not far from Zion. Come to Bobo Hill, de Rastaman Camp and mek we reason more about life. Me have so much to say but dis a de wrong place. One love.
no.23: enuff respect to urself kingson u are right this is the wrong place to articulate about history and our status as a black race but me be humbled by your wisdom all the same, you is strong like a lion and humble like a lamb, i is no bad man or real rude bwoy but i argue with passion, one day maybe i de ride thru bobo hill and ur overstanding can educate me on marcus garvey and all de greats i and i is done testing each other, one love .
The problems that free things cause are evident in the Zambia. When you get used to receiving free things from those who plan well and work hard, you forget about the need to build credible institutions and capacities to generate your own resources. What is wrong with us realising the inconvenience we are causing foreign tax payers. The more pertinent question about this begging is “what do we want the money for?” Workshops, foregin trips to go and beg more? It’s very surprising that we have asked investors with the money not to pay taxes and then we go and embarrass ourselves by begging from countries where these investors come from. Get serious!
NO 25: while your input is appreciated i beg to differ with your understanding, i am of the opinion that when ur neighbour is down u help them get back on their feet and when time comes for that favour to be repaid, on a gentleman’s principle, it is only fair,just and reasonable u payback that debt. These people are not paying any tax only at the initial stages of them doing business in zambia, the moment production reaches maturity stage a fair tax is imposed and this has been done thru the clever legal contracts H.E has devised, we are forgetting that not long ago the foreign mining companies were complaining about the increase in tax. When our leaders go for these
summits they ask for money and there is nothing wrong with that but that money comes as foreign direct investment which helps improve our infrastructure create employment and above all ensure that these economic zones which have been created are workable. We know the answers to these questions we ask ourselves, but we are in denial to believe that the right decisions are being taken. Nothing is for free nowadays and i like to believe that if they were then they are the best things in life.
Leaders in any country do not just offer solutions unless pushed. Zambians must ask Levy exactly what he is talking about. We are not aware of any written promise to the Zambian people from G8. As far as I know the G8 are not of our creation, but of imperialist agenda. I do not understand why LPM should think that he is owed performance by this group. We as citizens do not belong to the subject group of the G8 nations. We are not citizens of the G8 countries. We must get LPM to be more accountable to us as Zambians instead of him whistling in the wind. Who does not know that the G8 have a world domination agenda? Only LPM is as naive as a kid!
only LPM is as naive as a kid? lets be objective and check his resume, this is the same man who was nearly killed in 1991 when he so the capitalist greed in his colleagues especially after MMD was elected on socialist principle which he tried to uphold, this is the same man who was nearly assasinated by zambian mercenaries who were backed by the taiwan govt, in the process suffering a stroke while on duty for the masses, and today u turn around and say he is naive? I find that rather hard to believe because objectively speaking naive people are never wanted dead just like that, its clear the guy has balls and he is simply asking G8 to honor their deed and its not about
/cont…… belonging to G8 its about debt relief thats the principle which was agreed upon, the west clearing the slate so that our development is not hampered by the burden of debt.