•VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott (right) shares a light moment with Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between COMESA and Western Australia in Lusaka yesterday. Picture by STEPHEN KAPAMBWE.

By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott has urged Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) member countries to find ways of extracting maximum revenue collection from foreign mining firms.
Dr Scott said it was of no benefit for African countries to allow huge mining foreign investment when their countries were not benefiting from their resources.
He said this yesterday when he officially opened the round table meeting for COMESA mine and commerce ministers and the Government of Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett and his delegation at Pamodzi Hotel.
Dr Scott also urged the 19 COMESA member States to enhance the promotion of local content in mining industry as a way of increasing revenue collection.
He wondered why some countries were still importing products from other countries at a huge expense when such products or materials could be produced locally.
Dr Scott said Zambia was  largely depended on the export of copper and it would continue doing so despite the prices fluctuating.
Mr Barnett said African countries should not allow foreign investors to export their mineral resources without paying.
Mr Barnett said his country stood ready to help COMESA member countries in benefiting from the trade with his country.
Meanwhile, the Government of Western Australia and COMESA have signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build a close and mutually beneficial relationship with 19 African nations.
The agreement signed by Mr Barnett and COMESA  secretary general Sondiso Ngwenya was aimed at sharing knowledge and technology between the Government of Western Australia and COMESA States across the fields of mining, petroleum and agriculture.
The agreement also aims at promoting investment in vocational training and higher education across the resources and agriculture sectors.
Mr Barnett said Western Australia had a world-class system of legislation and regulation governing the mining and petroleum industries.
“We look forward to sharing the knowledge and expertise built up over more than 120 years of successful resource development in Western Australia,” Mr Barnet said.
And Mr Barnett said engaging with COMESA was an excellent way for his country to build relationships in the region and open up an exciting new market for Western Australia goods and services.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma said the agreement was another stride in trying to ensure that mining contributed to sustainable development in COMESA countries.
Mr Yaluma said it was time Africa and the region started moving towards implementing measures that would ensure the utilisation of mineral resources to industrialise and create wealth for member States.