Zambian &Turkish govts agree to implementation MoU on co-operation

The Zambian and Turkish Governments have agreed to immediately start implementation of the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation in the field of Forestry.

Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Jean Kapata and Turkey’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Bekir Pakdemirli agreed during a bilateral meeting in Ankara that it is important for the two countries to start implementation of the issues contained in the co-operation agreement for the mutual benefits of the two countries.

Ms. Kapata said shortly after the  bilateral meeting that her Turkish counterpart has promised to send a team of technocrats to Zambia in October this year,to provide technical support in the areas of forestry, fish farming and land survey,

She says Zambia needs capacity building in the Forestry Department in seeing to it that every district in Zambia has nurseries so that they prepare adequately for the tree planting that takes place every year at the beginning of the rainy season.

Mr Kapata has also expressed concern about the high levels of deforestation in Zambia arising from indiscriminate cutting down of trees for charcoal production.

The Minister says to address the problem of deforestation; Government has embarked on a project to buy 15,000 seedlings of a special solid bamboo species at a cost of K375, 000.

And Turkey’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Bekir Pakdemirli says the Turkish Government is ready to provide the necessary support to the Zambian Government to ensure the successful implementation of the MoU.

This is contained in a statement made available to Q-news by First Secretary for press and public relations at the Zambian embassy to Turkey, Jerry Munthali.