Veep praises Japan for assisting Zambia’s development process

Vice President Guy Scott has praised Japan for being instrumental in the development of Zambia over the 50 years of the diplomatic ties between Zambia and Japan.

Speaking during the state dinner hosted in honour of Prince Akishino
and his wife Princess Kiko at Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka yesterday, Dr. Scott observed that Japan is one of the major donors to Zambia and hoped that Zambia reaches the development levels which Japan has attained.

The Vice President stated that Zambia cherishes the diplomatic relationship between Zambia and Japan stating that Japan has contributed a lot to the country’s development by extending assistance to Zambia in various sectors.

Dr Scott cited the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-V) which saw Japan commit 3.2 trillion yen to African countries including Zambia.

And Prince Akishino described Zambia as a magnificent country with fascinating sites such as the Victoria Falls and the Kabwata cultural Village in Lusaka’s Kabwata Township which he visited.

Prince Akishino who is visiting Zambia for the first time admitted that he and his wife enjoyed sightseeing the Victoria Falls in Livingstone and the Kabwata cultural village in Lusaka and praised the Zambian people for their hospitality.

The Japanese Prince hoped that his visit to Zambia would strengthen the two countries’ relations further as Japan and Zambia commemorates their 50 years anniversary of the cordial diplomatic relations.

The Prince and his wife Kiko and other guests were entertained by the Madala’s cultural group and Maureen Lilanda.

Among the dignitaries who attended the dinner were Zambia’s First
President Kenneth Kaunda, Former Speaker of the National Assembly Amusa Mwanamwambwa and three Opposition Political Party leaders namely Father Frank Bwalya, Fred Mutesa and Mike Mulongoti.

Others present were Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo, Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata, Health Minister Joseph Kasonde, Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Kiyoshi Koinuma, Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan Mwewa Chibesakunda, Lusaka Deputy Mayor Portifer Tembo, and other senior government officials from the Japanese and the host Zambian government.