JAPANESE Ambassador to Zambia Kiyoshi Koinuma’s affirmation that Zambia is still an attractive business destination despite its economic challenges, raises the country’s confidence amidst an atmosphere of economic challenges.
Mr Koinuma noted that the economic challenges that Zambia was facing were not peculiar to the country, but have also hit other countries in Africa and Asia.
What condemnation can anyone place on the Patriotic Front(PF) administration for the economic slowdown with clear and independent observation?
While it is true that Zambia was currently facing many economic challenges like the depreciation of the kwacha, increased load shedding and rising inflation, such are challenges other countries in the world are also facing.
The truth is that many other African countries are facing similar problems, Asian countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines are facing those challenges mainly due to the slowdown of the Chinese economy.
Zambia, like other countries largely depends on other countries for both economic and social stability, therefore, any development among other countries affects Zambia too.
Mr Koinuma who has rightly noted that the economic slowdown was not the fault of an individual, has thus, gone further to engage Japanese companies to invest in Zambia as partners to Zambian businesses.
The   Ambassador reaffirms that Zambia has huge potential for joint partnerships because she plays a huge role in the Southern African region.
It is also worth noting that, apart from it being a regional hub, Zambia enjoyed peaceful transitions of governments, a situation that rules out any form of political instability.
Blessed is this nation that it also has vast unused land, huge water resources, a mild climate favourable for foreign direct investment.
Other important factors like the goodwill of its people and positive thinking gives hope that Zambia would overcome its challenges.
It is encouraging that  Mr Koinuma confirmed that Zambia was an important partner to Japan and that, the Japan would do all it could to help overcome economic challenges.
Zambia appreciates suggestions that there was need  for it  to industrialise its agriculture sector in which the Japanese Government was providing support.
Going by the 2016 National Budget presented in Parliament recently by Finance Minister Alexandar Chikwanda, Government was on track to increase its support to the agriculture sector to help boost and expedite the diversification of the economy.
Mr Koinuma said he was happy with Government’s pronouncements on the economy further urging Government to implement the policies and report the progress.
Key to the above said, was the gift of having a leader like President Edgar Lungu who was committed to uniting and developing the country.
Not only has President Lungu exhibited unique qualities of promoting peace and unity among its citizenry, but also declared dependance on God.
This was shown last Sunday when the entire country and its citizens beyond its borders observed a day of prayer and fasting.
That was done in recognition that it was neither by man’s might, nor power that Zambia can weather the economic storm, but also seek God’s intervention.
Mr Koinuma appreciated the gesture and he, too, attended the prayer and fasting ceremony with an impression that Government was making its utmost effort to unite Zambians even in these difficulties.
With such words of hope and encouragements coming from  envoys of developed countries like Japan, Zambians should not lose hope but remain resolute.
In the words  of Mr Koinuma, challenges this country was facing were not new or unique, and that, other countries have been in and come out of them, Zambia will overcome.
We, therefore, share the trust and hope by eminent people like Mr Koinuma who has the confidence in Zambia’s potential.  OPINION