By XAVIER MANCHISHI

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ZAMBIA will strengthen cooperation with Japan which targets priority sectors of development
such as health, agriculture, and infrastructure development, Acting President Wynter Kabimba has said.
Mr Kabimba said the enhanced cooperation between the two countries in
the core sectors of development epitomised the bilateral relationship
that had been growing for 50 years.
The acting President was speaking at the Government Complex in Lusaka
yesterday when visiting Japanese Imperial Highness Prince Akishino and
Princess Kiko Akishino paid a courtesy call on him yesterday.
“The cooperation, bilateral or otherwise, is something we continue to
cherish and hold dearly because it focuses on core sectors of emphasis
which Government has set as priority mainly since our party came into
office,” he said.
Mr Kabimba, who is Justice Minister said Japan had been offering
assistance in the core sectors that Government had set out as priority
targets that dealt directly with the well-being of the citizens
countrywide.
He said Zambia was also grateful that it would benefit from Japan’s pledge during the Tokyo International Conference on African
Development (TICAD) in Tokyo which reaffirmed that Yen 3.2 trillion
had been set aside for African development.
“It is important to mention that TICAD is an institution that stands
to contribute towards the growth of Africa from which Zambia will also
benefit in the same areas of national development that we are
prioritising,” he said.
Mr Kabimba said through the Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA), the Asian country had played a major role in providing
technical cooperation and other forms of aid promoting economic and
social development in Zambia.
He singled out the provision of water and sanitation that JICA had
been instrumental in ensuring that as the population of most Zambian
towns continues to grow rapidly, the situation does not outstrip the
demand for water and sanitation facilities.
“Your Imperial Highness, your visit is testimony of how much Japan
treasures the bilateral cooperation our countries continue to enjoy
over the years,” said Mr Kabimba who was flanked by Foreign Affairs
Minister, Harry Kalaba and Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister
Nkandu Luo.
He said the Kazungula Bridge at the border between Zambia and
Botswana was among many successful projects Japan had overseen
including the Samora Machel School of Medicine at the University of
Zambia which was benefiting Southern Africa in the area of livestock.
Prince Akishino said he and Princess Kiko had so far enjoyed
their stay in Zambia with the highlight being the royal couple’s visit to
various tourism sites in Livingstone on Sunday including the Victoria
Falls.
He said the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation between the two
countries was important to the relationship which spans 50 years, the
same time as Zambia would be commemorating her golden jubilee of
independence.
The Prince and the Princess later laid a wreath at the Freedom Statue.