Sylvia Mweetwa
27 July 2009
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said one way of overcoming economic challenges is through dialogue among various stakeholders in forums such as the Smart Partnership Movement Dialogue.
Mr Banda said that the Smart partnership Movement Dialogue had also given Zambia an opportunity to learn from business executives and other stakeholders who had much experience.
The president was speaking to journalists at Lusaka International Airport before he left for Uganda yesterday where he is expected to hand over the Smart Partnership Dialogue chairmanship to his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni.
"This forum is very important because it allows us to discuss smart ways of overcoming economic challenges which can only be done through dialogue, "he said.
He said the country had benefited a lot from the Smart Partnership Dialogue and that it was up to Zambians to take keen interest in such groupings.
Mr Banda said that he was looking forward to exchanging ideas and experiences with other stakeholders during the three-day meeting.
"It is important to learn from each other especially from those who have the experience on various issues. It is important that we attend such forums because if you just sit and eat, you will think that your mother is a best cook. When you travel you will then find out that there are other recipes, " he said.
Mr Banda who is accompanied by First Lady, Thandiwe, Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane and other senior Government officials is expected back home tomorrow.
Vice-President George Kunda, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha, Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kaganja, Defence chiefs, Senior Government officials and MMD cadres saw off the president and his entourage.
Zambia assumed the chairmanship of the Smart Partnership under late president Mwanawasa last year.
The other previous Smart Partnership conferences have been held in Malaysia, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho and Barbados.
Meanwhile, CHARLES MANGWATO reports from Kampala that President Banda has arrived to attend the 19th Smart Partnership Movement Dialogue, which was expected to open yesterday.
The plane carrying President Banda touched down at Entebbe International airport at 11.00 hours Zambian time.
He was received on arrival by that country's vice-president, Gilbert Bakenya, Zambia's outgoing High Commissioner to Tanzania, Royson Mukwena who is also accredited to Uganda, senior Government officials and the Zambian advance party.
The president later proceeded to join other heads of State and Government at the prestigious Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort on the shores of Lake Victoria, the venue for the three days conference.
Among heads of State and Government that have already arrived are Yahya Jammeh of Gambia, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Malaysian Prime minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib.
President Banda was later in the evening expected to handover the chairmanship of the Smart Partnership movement after which he was expected to deliver a key note speech during a cocktail party detailing Zambia's accomplishments for the movement during its tenure as chair.
This year's conference is being held under the theme 'Towards smarter globe-The Smart Partnership Way for realising socio-economic transformation through regional integration.'
More than 500 delegates from government, parliament, private sector, professional organisations or associations, the media and civil society are attending the conference.
Among the topics lined up for discussion include national visions for transforming communities and municipalities, strategic input to integrated development and market access through strategies for quality infrastructure as well as the global financial crisis.
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