.Schultz

By NAKUBIANA SHABONGO –

UNITED States Ambassador to Zambia, Eric Schultz says the country’s economy has potential to thrive because of its good resource base.
Mr Schultz said Zambia’s economic future will be a huge success as the country is endowed with land, soil and water among other resources.
He was speaking during a Press briefing at the American Embassy in Lusaka yesterday.
He said his country was optimistic about Zambia’s economic future.
The Ambassador also announced that 21 Zambian young leaders were selected to participate in President Obama’s 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, a six-week programme of leadership training, academic coursework and mentoring.
The programme is designed to hone the skills of young African leaders, focusing on business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership and public management in order to serve their communities well.
Mr Schultz said the programme will improve on economic and political successes as young people are important in the process.
“Zambia’s future could be a huge success because of the good resource base it has. Africa will in the next years to come improve as it is becoming a bigger market and this will reduce poverty,” he said.
State House Deputy Minister, Mulenga Sata implored participants to impart the skills that they will acquire in order to deepen democracy, contribute to growth and create jobs.
Mr Sata said Government will allow young leaders and entrepreneurs to flourish in the economy through creation of an enabling environment for all.
Mr Sata reaffirmed Government’s commitment to maintaining close bilateral relations with the US which are based on mutual values and interests.
He called on participants to embrace the opportunity by utilising it to network, exchange ideas and contacts which would be valuable as they built their careers.
“I have no doubt that you will not only do us proud as a country but you will also be our ambassadors in the United States and lift Zambia’s flag high, above all, obtain the necessary skills to build our country to greater heights,” he said.
Mr Sata commended the American Government for the initiative and encouraged it to continue investing in young African leaders who are future leaders of the continent.