GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBIA

HIGH COMMISSIONER ACTIVITIES


 

STATEMENT BY DR. NEVERS SEKWILA MUMBA (HIGH COMISSIONER-DESIGNATE TO THE BAHAMAS) ON THE PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THE HONOURABLE ARTHUR FOULKES, GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS

Thursday, 22nd April 2010

12:30 p.m. Government House

Nassau, The Bahamas

Your Excellency, The Honourable, Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor-General of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas 

It is my greatest honor and privilege to stand before you today. In bringing warm and brotherly greetings to your Excellency and the great people of the Bahamas from your brother, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Rupiah Banda, and the people of Zambia, I also wish to congratulate you on your well deserved appointment as Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.  This is a living testimony of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth's confidence in you and your leadership. 

Your Excellency,

I am delighted to be given this opportunity to present the letters of credence by which I am appointed the High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Your Excellency, Zambia recognizes and applauds both the economic and political achievements that your country has recorded over the last few years. The Bahamas has branded itself as a safe and politically stable destination of the world. It is this stability and the amazing hospitality of the people of the Bahamas that has made it a true model of an envied tourist destination. Your country’s ability to sustain fiscal discipline and political stability has created a conducive environment for lucrative international Banking.

Your Excellency, Zambia and The Bahamas enjoy a close and historical partnership on several fronts. The Bahamian and Zambian people share common values and aspirations. A commitment to democratic values and, the respect of human rights.  

The relations between our two countries are further strengthened through our common membership of regional and international organizations, notably the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States.

It is for reason that during my tour of duty, I will work closely with the government of The Bahamas to:

1.     Ensure and facilitate that Zambia and the Bahamas have      technical cooperation and exchanges in the area of tourism   development.

2.     Initiate bilateral talks on a wide range of issues including,         Manufacturing, Banking and other sectors of the economy.

3.     Initiate talks on high level exchange visits between our two    countries meant to further strengthen our already warm        bilateral relations.

 Your Excellency,

While appreciating the status of our relations, we believe that more can be done to consolidate these relations. You may wish to know that Zambia has placed tourism, agriculture, mining, and manufacturing at the center stage of our national development efforts. In this regard, I wish to appeal to the Government of the Bahamas to consider accelerating closer ties so that we can both exploit the wonderful opportunities that exist in both our countries.

Your Excellency,

The Zambian government commends the government of the Bahamas for the continued support rendered to the thousands of people of Haiti who have been made homeless as a result of the catastrophic earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.  May God reward you for your distinguished acts of mercy.

Your Excellency,

It is now my honour and privilege to present to you the letters of Credence by which His Excellency Mr. Rupiah Banda, the president of the Republic of Zambia accredits me as Zambia’s High Commissioner to the Bahamas on a non residential basis.

May God bless our two Nations.

 

 

I THANK YOU

 

PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS IN JAMAICA - 25TH JANUARY 2010

 

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On 25th January 2010, I had the honour of presenting Letters of Credence to the Governor General of Jamaica at KINGS House.  This marks the third country in which I am now accredited as High Commissioner and Ambassador.  The other countries being Canada and Cuba.

I had the privilege of being accompanied by my wife Florence and our First Secretary for Economic and Trade, Friday Chilufya.  The presentation ceremony was meticulously arranged by Jamaica's Department of Protocol.  An hour after Zambia's Credentials were accepted, I paid a courtesy call on the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Jamaica, H.E. Jesus Silva Fernandez, Ambassador of Spain.  His brief on the activities of the diplomatic corps was most beneficial.

From Tuesday 26th to Thursday 28th January, I participated in the annual Diplomatic Forum.  We were addressed by several government and private sector leaders including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh, MP,  Hon. Audley Shaw, MP, Minister of finance and Public Service, Hon. Karl Samuda, CD, MP, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, MPMinister of Tourism, Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and The Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce Golding.


THE STATE OF JAMAICA

An Island nation of only 2.7 million people with a rich cultural identity.  The home of the legendary Robert (Bob) Marley the King of Reggae.

The country which has a vibrant and working democratic system, is currently facing a major (economic) challenge.  Their debt repayment is much higher than their total revenue in taxes.   Government seems to acknowledge the extent of this challenge and have adopted austere measures to restore economic normalcy in the Island.  The International Monetary Fund has come alongside the Jamaican government to assist in providing necessary funds to get the country out of its economic bind.  One of the most controversial measures proposed by the IMF is to sell-off Air Jamaica which has been making heavy losses for many years.  Having interacted with several government Ministers, I am confident that this challenge is being adequately addressed.



ZAMBIA-JAMAICA RELATIONS

On Wednesday the 27th of January, I held a bilateral meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Evadne Coyle.   We agreed to jump start the weakened relations, by re-visiting the bilateral agreements signed by our Second President, Mr. Frederick J. T. Chiluba and his counterpart during a State Visit to the Island in 1995.

An agreement was reached to finalise plans for the first ever Joint Permanent Commission between the two countries.  Jamaica and Zambia share a rich background ranging from a common culture and a passion for equality and dignity of every human being.  This passion is usually evidenced in the way the two countries have supported each other in international organizations, i.e. the United Nations and Commonwealth to name a few.

The climax of the Diplomatic Week was on January 28th during a state dinner hosted by the Governor General in honour of the Diplomatic Corps.  The Governor General celebrated the increased enthusiasm in countries opening embassies in Jamaica.  Most of his speech defined the role of Jamaica in assisting the hurricane hit neighbours of Haiti.  Jamaica has sent troops and various supplies to assist in the ongoing humanitarian crisis.  He further thanked all nations that have contributed food, medical supplies and clothes to Haiti during the past few days.

This was one worthwhile trip and I look forward to stronger ties between our two countries.