Co-Chair of the International Advisory Council Felix Mutati says all is set for the Global Southern Africa International dialogue which starts tomorrow.

Briefing the Media at Mulungushi International Centre, Venue of the dialogue, Mr. Mutati said three former Heads of State are among Heads of State and government, representatives of civil society, private sector and other stakeholders expected to attend the dialogue.

The former heads of state include Namibia’s Sam Nujoma, Botswana’s Festus Mogae and Mozambique’s Joackim Chisano.

Swazi land Prime Absalom Dlamini arrived this afternoon , while his Lesotho Counterpart Pakalitha Mosisili and Prime Minister of Malaysia are expected to arrive this evening.

About 25 countries are represented in the dialogue dubbed Mulungushi dialogue whose theme is “Smart Partnership in Economic Development and Diversity.

Mr. Mutati who is also Commerce , Trade and Industry Minister said the government is confident that about 400 delegates will attend the dialogue as earlier projected.

At the same briefing , International Advisory Council Member Dr. Sixtus Mulenga observed that participants are drawn from diverse background which will enrich the dialogue on various issues.

Dr. Mulenga who is Albidon Zambia Limited General manager said Zambia needs to learn best practices of conducting business to further enhance the country’s booming economy .

Private Secretary from Malaysia Datl Schoo said the dialogue is a vital tool in achieving a smarter way of solving problems.

Mr. Schoo who is also a founder member of the Smart partnership movement, urged political leaders to use the concept to address international problems such as conflict resolution.

And Speaking at the same briefing, Dr. Basil Spriager , a Fellow from the Caribbean said his country has developed to due the implemented of some of the concepts adopted from the dialogue.

Meanwhile, Global Southern Africa International Smart Partnership Dialogue 2008 Joint Convener, John Musukuma says media briefings for the dialogue will be held on a daily basis at Cresta Golf View Hotel.

Mr Musukuma, who is also Special Assistant to the President, said the facility at Cresta Golf View hotel will be fully equipped to enable the media process and transmit news materials to their various media institutions.

“I am assuring the media that starting tomorrow everything will be comfortable as we indicated earlier,” said Mr. Musukuma.

Earlier, Joint Convener, Mihaela Smith, said everything in relation to preparations for the GSAID is set.

Dr. Smith said so far everything has been put in place and all is going in the right direction.

Zambia is hosting the International Smart Partnership dialogue for the first time dubbed the ‘Mulungushi dialogue’.

Smart Partnership Dialogues afford governments, civil society and private business representatives, a forum for informal discussions on development challenges.

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Government says it will apply the outcome of the 2008 Smart Partnership Dialogue towards enriching programmes aimed at achieving Zambia’s Vision 2030 targets.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Felix Mutati, told Journalists at a media briefing in Lusaka today that the Dialogue, which opens on next Monday, will discuss at specific topics that are key to the realisation of Vision 2030 particularly in the areas of energy, mining and agriculture.

Mr Mutati said Zambia will strive to learn from experiences and perspectives of other participating countries with a view to charting the way forward for Zambia to attain significant economic development.

Speaking at the same occasion a Private business sector specialist, John Mair, from the United Kingdom said dialogue on development issues enhances understanding on ways of achieve specific national goals.

Mr Mair said the real value for all participating countries and stakeholders will measured after the interactive dialogue.

And a Zimbabwean Trade Unionist, Isdore Zindonga, called on the media to play a proactive role in disseminating the information emanating from the dialogue.

The 2008 Global Southern Africa International Dialogue takes place in Lusaka from July 28 to 31, under the theme, ‘Smart Partnership in economic development and diversity.’

Seven African Heads of State have so far confirmed attendance out of the 14 who were invited.

The Dialogue will bring together ministers, representatives from civil society, labour movements and academia for informal dialogue on various development issues affecting developing countries.

Meanwhile, Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Clement Siame, says government welcomes private sector partnership in the provision of social services in the country.

Speaking last night when he officiated at the induction dinner of Lions Club of Mansa new President, Ronald Chalwe, Mr Siame said government is determined to sustain enhanced service delivery in the social sector.

Mr Siame indicated that the growing demand for social services has strained the capacity by government to meet social needs hence the need for private sector involvement in meeting the benchmarks.

And Mr Siame has challenged public service workers to become selfless in the execution of their functions because the civil service is the biggest social service provider in the nation.

He also advised people of Mansa to consider joining the Lion Club and other organisations engaged in social work to enable the community derive maximum benefit from the organisation.

Earlier, Lions Governor 413, Luckson Chihana, asked government to consider engaging in permanent partnership with the Lions Club in the promotion of untapped tourism potential in the district.

Mr Chihana expressed happiness at efforts made by the Luapula province government administration in marketing the local tourism administration.

He suggested that the Lions Club could be an effective marketing tool for Zambia’s tourism investment due to its present in over 200 countries on the globe.

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Government is determined to make Zambia a credible nation and worthy of investments, Chipata District Commissioner Nicholas Banda has said.

Mr. Banda said this would made possible since Zambia is internationally regarded as a credible investment destination because zero rating to corruption by the new deal government of President Levy Mwanawasa’s government.

He said there is need to fight corruption, which he said does not good for investments as it causes instability of prices commodities and services.

He said economic instability due to corruption renders proper business planning impossible to for investments.

Mr. Banda was speaking Friday during the official opening of a one day workshop by Transparency International (TI) on monitoring, evaluation of projects and corruption to the District Development Coordination Committee (DDCC)members.

He also stated that dishonest businesses and individuals amass huge profits through corruption and evasion of tax at the expense of the less privileged in society.

Mr. Banda appealed to the members of the DDCC to respond to civil society demands for higher levels of integrity and accountability among public officials.

The district Commisioner said in a corrupt economy, prices of goods and services become high and inaccessible to the less privileged.

He called on DDCC members and other public service workers to ensure integrity and transparency in their course of duty.

“Each individual and organization in governance needs to uphold his integrity and continue keeping corruption in check, if it is to be fought,” he said.

Mr.Banda urged participants to increase their understanding of corruption,its challenges and how to overcome them, in order to bring development to the district.

The District Commissioner said the only way that Zambians could help increase investments is by ensuring that they are corruption free as this would instill confidence in would be investors.

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Katanga Province Governor, Moses Katumbi says he supports calls for the Chembe bridge to be named after President Levy Mwanawasa.

Mr. Katumbi has commended the Zambian leader for his initiative to put up a bridge at Chembe between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He also said he has sanctioned the Zambian government to tar the pedicle road.

Mr. Katumbi says his tour of the road and Chembe Bridge is a demonstration of his country’s commitment to working with the Zambian government on various aspects of development.

He was speaking in an interview with Journalists shortly after a delegation meeting between the Zambian and Congolese authorities.

And Works and Supply Deputy Minister, Mundia Ndalamei commended the DRC governor for allowing the Zambian government to tar the pedicle road.

Mr. Ndalamei disclosed that issues that have been discussed with Congolese authorities will be tabled before the Zambian government before entering a Memorandum of Understanding.

[ZNBC]