.KALABA

By JAMES KUNDA –

ZAMBIA will be able to clinch bilateral and economic agreements, as well as improve its international profile, if its leaders continue to interact with the international community, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba has said.
In this regard, President Edgar Lungu sourced investment pledges worth US$1.5 billion from China on his recent trip to that country.
Meanwhile, State House says President Lungu’s trips abroad are viable and of massive benefit to the country.
Mr Kalaba said at a Press briefing yesterday that bilateral agreements cannot be reached if the Zambian leadership operates in a cocoon, hence President Lungu will undertake trips abroad to enhance the country’s international profile.
He said the President’s trip to China has yielded substantial benefits for Zambia contrary to conflicting statements by opposition political party leaders.
The minister was in the company of Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Amos Chanda, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Rayford Mbulu and Permanent Secretary George Zulu.
Some of the successes of the trip regard funding to projects such as rehabilitation of the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), setting up of milling capacity in all provinces, rehabilitation of Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and the Solwezi-Jimbe railway line connecting Zambia to Angola.
“The sum total of engagement and investment pledges amounting to $1.5 billion so far has been made and will flow into the country immediately,” Mr Kalaba said.
Mr Chanda said President Edgar Lungu has received goodwill worldwide and foreign leaders were queuing up invitations to have him visit their countries.
He said leaders across the world are fighting to meet the Chinese Premier and its leadership but within two months, President Lungu was given an opportunity.
“The trip was an economic one that has brought economic benefits so the proportion of lies from Edith Nawakwi and Charles Milupi are surprising.
“The trips by President Lungu are necessary for this country and no amount of politicking or ignorance will deter the President from going on trips that are viable for Zambia,” he said.