. Dr Scott

By BRIAN  HATYOKA –
VICE-PRESIDENT  Guy Scott has urged heads of Zambian missions abroad to take advantage of Zambia’s friendly status and attractiveness to market it in countries of accreditation.
Dr Scott said Zambia was very attractive, beautiful and friendly hence it was important for the country’s High Commissioners and Ambassadors to market the nation and its tourism products to their respective countries of accreditation.
He said during the 20th session of the August 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly in Livingstone, delegates who came to the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls were very impressed with the country.
“When delegates came to the Zambian side during the closing dinner of the UNWTO conference, some of them  appreciated  how relaxed and attractive Zambia was compared to the other hosting country.
“We should be proud of our country and be ready to sell it to the outside world and lift the Zambian flag abroad,” Dr Scott said.
Dr Scott was speaking in Livingstone at Protea Hotel yesterday when he opened a 10-day conference for Heads of Zambian missions abroad.
About 35 Zambian ambassadors and High Commissioners are attending the conference under the theme ‘Zambia at 50: enhancing the sound and prudent management of resources in missions abroad’.
The objective of the conference is to appraise the Zambian heads of missions on current national and international issues as well as to enlighten them on the internal audits circle and public accounts committee (PAC) matters.
Other objectives are to improve the operations and management of resources in missions abroad and to enhance collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Lusaka and missions abroad.
The Vice-President said his personal opinion was that Zambia was the most underrated country globally and yet guests had a different and bright picture when they visited the country.
“Once you bring people to Zambia, they will never go away and in most cases they will want to come back again because our country is very attractive, beautiful friendly and relaxed compared to other countries,” Dr Scott said.
He also urged the heads of mission abroad to ignore continuous attacks on the Zambian Government by some sections of the social media.
“What is happening in the social media of Zambia is worse than a village gossip. As ambassadors and High Commissioners, you be more relaxed and confident of the country and also avoid being stressed when you read these lies about us,” he said.
At the same meeting, Foreign Affairs Minister, Harry Kalaba said it was cardinal that the conduct of heads of missions abroad reflected the vision of the PF Government.
Mr Kalaba said the revised foreign policy had been aligned with the PF’s vision to maximise Zambia’s benefits to the international community.
“As heads of missions, you are controlling officers and it is extremely important that knowledge of Government accounting and procurement procedures are communicated to you,” he said.
In a vote of thanks, Dean of Zambian Diplomatic Corps who is also Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Muyeba Chikonde said the diplomats were expected to agree on basic principles of enhancing the sound and prudent management of resources in missions abroad.
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, George Zulu also addressed the diplomats.