Tue, 27 Jun 2017 13:13:13 +0000
By ANNIE ZULU
ZAMBIA is key in the region because the country brokers peace and hosts refugees, visiting Japanese Parliamentary vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Shunsuke Takei has said.
And Mr Takei has also praised Zambia for integrating refugees in the local communities.
Mr Takei was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba in Lusaka yesterday.
“Zambia contributes to the peace of the region. And Japan is happy with our investment treaty that will see a number of Japanese companies coming to invest especially in the construction industry,” Mr Takei said.
He said the interactions of officials from the two countries would deepen the bilateral relations that already existed between Japan and Zambia.
And Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba said Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had played a pivotal role in Zambia’s quest for development.
“Your visit will further strengthen our already existing cordial relations and President Lungu is eagerly looking forward to receiving you,” Mr Kalaba said. He said Zambia was ready to commence negotiations for the Zambia-Japan Treaty by next month.
