Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba says Zambia is looking forward to expanding existing areas of development cooperation and trade with the Federal Republic of Germany.
Mr Sikumba states that Zambia’s bilateral relations with Germany have remained steadfast despite changes in political leadership.
He notes that Zambia values the longstanding friendship with Germany premised on shared values, mutual respect, and common aspirations at bilateral and multilateral levels.
ZANIS reports that Mr Sikumba was speaking when he met the Minister of Economy, Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry of the German State of Saxony-Anhalt, Sven Schulze in Germany.
Mr Sikumba reiterated that Zambia is committed to fostering mutually beneficial cooperation and understanding adding that the meeting was sought to bolster Zambia’s efforts in forging economic and trade ties in tourism with Saxony-Anhalt and Germany at large through economic diplomacy
The Minister pointed out that Zambia has been observing the economic success in Saxony-Anhalt, particularly in investor service, location marketing and tourism marketing.
He noted that Zambia is aware of Saxony-Anhalt’s highly industrialized and diversified economy, which equally emphasizes services such as tourism and production through its innovation hubs.
He expressed confidence that Zambia would benefit immensely from the current advancement in these sectors.
Mr Sikumba further said Zambia was ready to partner with Saxony-Anhalt in the tourism industry and leverage their robust tourism network and digital competence.
He acknowledged Germany’s prioritization of Africa as a trade partner and emphasized that Zambia was strategically positioning itself to pioneer strengthened economic and trade relations with Germany on the African continent.
He commended the German government for the regional development cooperation initiatives, particularly in the areas of education, focusing on TEVET crafts and trade institutions.
The Tourism Minister also appreciated Germany’s efforts in the conservation of historical and natural heritage sites, including museums, as well as its commitment to stewardship of natural resources, wildlife conservation and protection of biodiversity.
The meeting between the two Ministers was held on the margins of the ITB Berlin Trade Show.
This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka by Lubinda Kashewe, First Secretary Press, at the Zambian Embassy in Berlin, Germany.
