Wesley Ng'andu
18 August 2004
Grande Baile — PRESIDENT Mwanawasa today held talks with his counterparts from Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana and Malawi on tobacco production and trade among the six countries.
The six presidents held the tobacco talks during a working breakfast at the Royal Palm Hotel.
Briefing the Zambian media immediately after the talks, Foreign Affairs minister, Kalombo Mwansa said the discussions were 'very fruitful'.
Dr Mwansa said the six heads of State discussed a number of issues in relation to tobacco production and trade among their countries.
He said the presidents also exchanged views on other economic sectors, such as manufacturing and agreed to hold another meeting to discuss economic issues within the next three months.
President Mwanawasa later held closed door talks with Japanese prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi's ambassador and personal representative for Africa, Masaharu Kohno.
Mr Kohno is also director-general for sub-Sahara Africa affairs.
And in his message to the 24th SADC summit, Mr Koizumi said Japan attached great importance to cooperative relations with SADC.
He noted that SADC took on an important coordinating role for the implementation of New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
President Mwanawasa is today expected to depart for Tanzania for the Great Lakes peace talks.-Zana.
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