The Libyan Arab African Investment Company (LAAICO) is undertaking feasibility studies in Serenje for agriculture investment, Libyan ambassador to Zambia Khalifa Omer Swiexi has said.
Commemorating the 36th anniversary of the 1st September Revolution of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, which fell on September 1, Ambassador Swiexi commended the strong existing bilateral relations between Zambia and Libya.
He said when President Mwanawasa visited Libya last May and held talks with Libyan leader Muammar Al-Gaddafi, the two countries agreed to commence the projects in agriculture in Zambia.
"LAAICO is currently undertaking the feasibility studies in Serenje where the government of Zambia allocated 10,000 hectares of land to Libya for agricultural investment," he said.
Ambassador Swiexi said the two sides agreed to enhance investments in the fields of housing and tourism.
He said the Libyan authorities were undertaking feasibility studies to partner with the Zambian government in constructing houses and a five star hotel in Zambia.
He said there was no doubt that joining of Libya to the membership of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) during the Kigali summit this year would avail the opportunities to enhance its trade relations with COMESA member-states and Zambia in particular as it hosts the COMESA headquarters.
Ambassador Swiexi commended President Mwanawasa and his government's efforts in fighting corruption and for reaching the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) completion point that would help the government to have more resources for alleviating poverty and to achieve sustainable development for the Zambian people.
And education minister Dr Brian Chituwo said Libya had used its resources to advance the interests of Africa through the African Union (AU).
"The Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya was synonymous with the ideals of this continent through its active participation and contribution of the African Union," he said.
Dr Chituwo also implored the two governments to actively pursue the establishment of a joint permanent commission of co-operation.
"This will enhance economic co-operation in areas of mutual interest such as agriculture, trade, education and energy. The JPC will also spur the much needed interaction in social and cultural areas and therefore promote mutual understanding between our people," he said.
Dr Chituwo said the two countries also shared similar values and aspirations in the context of the common membership of regional and international organisations like the African Union, Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) and the United Nations.
Source: The Post, Lusaka
