Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba
Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba has declared Zambia’s readiness to host the 2016 African Development Bank (AfDB) annual meeting.
This follows the official signing of an Aide Memoir and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this afternoon with AfDB for the country to host the bank’s annual meeting which will run from the 17th to 26th of July 2016.
Speaking after the signing ceremony in Lusaka this afternoon, Mr. Yamba observed that the signing of the two documents signals the preparedness of the country to work with the Bank in hosting a successful event.
Mr. Yamba has assured the AfDB that the Zambian government will work hard in liaison with the Bank to ensure that most of the arrangements are in place ahead of January 2016 when the Bank’s next mission will be in Zambia for the final assessment before the meeting in May.
He has disclosed that to this effect the Zambian government is in the process of setting up an inter-Ministerial Committee to spearhead the preparations of the 2016 meeting.
Mr. Yamba says the Zambian government will also provide a budget line in the 2016 national budget to facilitate the successful hosting of the annual meeting expected to attract about 4,000 delegates.
AfDB Vice president Secretary General Cecilia Akintomide
Speaking earlier, AfDB Vice president Secretary General Cecilia Akintomide observed that Zambia’s offer to host the meeting shows a sense of leadership and responsibility on the part of the country which last hosted the bank’s annual meeting in 1972.
Ms. Akintomide is impressed not only by the warmth of the Zambian people, but also by the professionalism that Zambian government is showing in preparation of the event.
She optimistic that such professionalism will make it easier to organize a successful annual meeting
Ms Akintomide says by hosting the annual meeting, it means Zambia as a member state has a story to tell especially that the Bank’s annual meeting provides a platform for the country to showcase its investment opportunities and its tourism.