Work with RB - Mutharika
By DORIS KASOTE and REBECCA CHILESHEMALAWIAN President Bingu Wa Mutharika has called on Zambians to work with President Banda because his government is committed to development of the country.
And President Banda says Zambia and Malawi should take full advantage of opportunities such as agriculture and commercial shows to promote trade and investment in the region.
Professor Wa Mutharika said Zambia belongs to all Zambians who should contribute to the development of the country as opposed to always criticising the government.
He was speaking last night during a state banquet hosted in his honour by his Zambian counterpart at Hotel Intercontinental in Lusaka.
Professor Wa Mutharika is in the country to officiate at the 84th Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show, whose theme is Sustainable Development.
He challenged civil society organisations to seek opportunities which would move the nation forward instead of being critical of President Banda’s administration.
Prof Wa Mutharika said the future of Zambia and Malawi is tied together and that it is important for the two governments to create opportunities for both countries to benefit.
He said his leadership has always been committed to building stronger relations between the two countries.
President Wa Mutharika reaffirmed his government’s willingness to continue working towards closure ties and political development between the two countries.
He said Zambia is his second home because he lived in Lusaka and two of his children were born here.
Mr Banda said some Malawian companies participating in this year’s show will foster trade relations between the two countries, which have been low despite the existing warm political ties.
Mr Banda said the presence of Prof Wa Mutharika underscores the importance Malawi attaches to the cordial relations between the two countries.
He said the history of friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries is solid because it is founded on a common cultural and ethnic heritage.
President Banda said the agriculture show is an important annual event which not only provides a platform to showcase Zambia’s products but also affords equal opportunity to foreign participating firms to promote their products on the Zambian market.
Mr Banda said this year’s event is happening in special circumstances as the country and the peasant farming community is reaping another bumper harvest of the staple food - maize.
He said the abundant crop of maize will help Zambia strengthen the country’s food security which has, for the past few years, captured the attention of the international community.
“As a good neighbour, we are not indifferent to what you are doing in Malawi. We have, therefore, taken a leaf from your success in agriculture,” President Banda said.
He said with statistics by the food and agriculture organisation showing that over one million people go hungry each year the focus on investment in agriculture and food production is something worth noting.
Mr Banda also commended his Malawian counterpart for his commitment and exemplary leadership in steering the African Union’s vision.
“We have been able to attain these achievements due to the spirit of understanding, compromise and reconciliation that has guided our relations and interactions. I am confident that the same spirit will characterise our future relations,” he said.
Mr Banda said the challenges that exist between the two countries are not insurmountable if efforts and resources are harmoniously put behind the countries’ development process.
“I have every confidence that we can achieve the desired outcome of mutual economic growth and development,” he said.
Prof Wa Mutharika arrived in the country yesterday to a thunderous welcome.
President Banda and First Lady Thandiwe received the Malawian President who arrived shortly after 15:00 hours at Lusaka International Airport.
A huge crowd waving Zambian and Malawian flags welcomed President wa Mutharika and his wife, Callista. Immediately after arrival, President Wa Mutharika was accorded a 21-gun salute as the national anthems of the two countries were being played one after the other.
The Malawian President later inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Second Battalion of the Zambia Army Regiment.
President Banda then led his Malawian counterpart to meet Cabinet ministers and other senior government and party officials who were present.
The two leaders watched some traditional dancing before they left together.
/MISA%20promoting%20media%20diversity%20_%20pluralism%20_%20self-sufficiency%20_%20independence_files/spacer.gif){kind=spacer}
