Afrique en ligne

Actualités africaines: Economie Politique Finances Sports

Monday
Mar 15th

14 heads of state expected in Lusaka next week

Lusaka, Zambia - About 14 heads of state and government areexpected in the Lusaka, Zambia, to attend the Global Southern AfricaInternational Dialogue, sc h eduled for 28-31 July, the state-run ZambiaDaily Mail said Saturday. Zambia's Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Felix Mutati,disclosed that the'Smart Partnership Dialogue' was expected to dwell on challenges offood security and energy , among others.

Mutati said the meeting would bring together heads of state and government, thebusiness community and non-governmental organisations and woulddiscuss challenges being faced in the region. "The burning issues are food security and energy and infrastructure development.This dialogue intends to come up with ways of resolving this crisis,"he said, adding that Zambia would take advantage and

get views fromstakeholders on how to achieve its Vision 2030. Mutati said the meeting would also address issues of raising funds forinfrastructure development, adding that an investment promotiondialogue would also be held to connect the Zambian business communityto delegations from other countries. "We want to use this event to promote Zambia. We want to sell Zambiaas a tourist destination," he said.

Asked whether Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe would attend the dialogue,Mutati said an invitation had been sent, but that there had not beenany responseyet.
 
Lusaka - 19/07/2008

Pana