By CHILA NAMAIKO –

BRITAIN has congratulated Zambia over her historical status of being a peaceful nation and the continued contribution of peacekeepers to war-torn countries.
Newly-appointed British High Commissioner to Zambia Fergus Cochrane-Dyet Obe said at State House in Lusaka yesterday that the United Kingdom (UK) was impressed with the peace which had prevailed since independence in 1964.
Speaking when he presented his letters of credence to President Edgar Lungu, Mr Obe said Zambia was developing at a faster rate coupled with political stability, making the country ideal for investment.
“I have lived and worked in Zambia for many years and this country’s contribution to the African Union on peacekeepers and the recent deployment of troops to the Central African Republic is a good gesture,” he said.
President Lungu called on diplomats in the country to tap into Zambia’s conducive investment opportunities by attracting more investors from their respective nations.
Mr Lungu said Zambia had a conducive environment for doing business with numerous investment opportunities in sectors like agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, energy, mining and water development.
“In this regard, I wish to urge Your Excellencies to harness this potential during your tour of duty and increase your country’s investment in Zambia,” he said.
The President also received letters of credence from the envoys of Guinea Djigui Camara, Djibouti’s Miriam Ahmed Goumaneh and Lourdes Eelena Perez Martinez of Venezuela.
Mr Lungu said the Government looked forward to working with the new diplomats to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in different areas of mutual interest.
He praised the UK for its continued provision of a viable avenue for long-lasting cooperation in technical, financial and development assistance through the Department for International Development in areas such as health, education, economic and public service reform, and good governance.
“It is my ardent hope that the Zambia-UK strategic partnership will further be enhanced in areas such as trade and investment, technology, water and sanitation and tourism for the mutual benefit of our two peoples, particularly following the recent opening of the trade office in Lusaka,” he said.
Mr Lungu said the Government looked forward to working with Venezuela to further develop the country’s education sector.
He said Venezuela was one of the countries that stood out in attaining high literacy levels of more than 95 per cent among its people.
The President has also been following the economic development of Guinea and was happy with that country’s major strides in the agriculture sector which engages about 84 per cent of the population.
To Djibouti, the President said Zambia enjoyed warm relations with that country, citing an official visit by late President Levy Mwanawasa in 2008.
“There is need to encourage high-level visits between our two countries in order to explore potential economic investment opportunities and encourage best practices in various sectors of development,” he said.
Mr Obe pledged his country’s continued bilateral support to Zambia, while Ms Goumaneh called for more exchange of ideas for economic development.
Mr Camara was happy with his country’s strong ties with Zambia, while Ms Martinez urged Zambia and her country to harness sustainable development.