By REBECCA MUSHOTA –

ZAMBIAN local authorities should engage the grassroots for tourism and agricultural programmes to succeed, Bernalillo County Commissioner of New Mexico in the United States of America (USA) Debbie O’Malley has said.
Ms O’Malley said this when Lusaka Deputy Mayor Potipher Tembo, ward councillor McBride Sekeleti and Lusaka City Council director of legal services Michael Moono, together with Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States Palan Mulonda visited Bernalillo County officials to discuss investment opportunities and partnership possibilities between Lusaka and the City of Albuquerque of New Mexico.
According to a statement released by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian Embassy in the US, Patricia Littiya, Ms O’Malley said on Wednesday that her county was encouraging agri-tourism which had increased ownership of county programmes by local farmers who were direct beneficiaries.
She said it was important for local authorities to engage the grassroots for agri-tourism projects’ success to be attained.
Also speaking at the meeting, Bernalillo County deputy manager Vince Murphy said the county would look at options available for supporting Zambia.
The statement said the Zambian delegation currently in Albuquerque, New Mexico marketed Zambia as an ideal investment destination to Bernalillo County officials.
Mr Mulonda explained the various investment opportunities in the agricultural, energy, mining and tourism sectors of Zambia.
He said President Michael Sata had prioritised agriculture, education, health and local government as key drivers of sustainable and inclusive growth for the country.
Mr Mulonda said Zambia had put in place a conducive investment climate for foreign direct investment which was backed by predictable and strong regulatory regimes.
The delegation later visited the National Atomic Museum and other county income-generating ventures.