Managua , March 16, 2008 – Zambia’s new Ambassador to Nicaragua, Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika presented her credential letters to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega in Managua Wednesday.
The credential letters accredit her as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Zambia to Nicaragua on a non resident basis.
During a colourful ceremony at State House, which was attended by officials from the Nicaraguan Foreign Affairs Ministry and other Ministries including the Defence, the in-coming Zambian Ambassador reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to maintaining the warm and cordial relations that so happily exist between the two countries.
“Let me equally fulfil my pleasant duty as a messenger of conveying to you and through you to the people of Nicaragua, warm and fraternal greetings from the President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa S.C and the government of the Republic of Zambia. I am also a bearer of warm greetings from the people of Zambia to the people of Nicaragua,” she said
Ambassador Mbikusita-Lewanika spoke highly of the achievements made by President Daniel Ortega in guiding developments in Nicaragua since he ascended to the Presidency.
She said Zambia was keen to learn lessons of Nicaragua’s initiatives in areas such as agriculture, particularly in the precious wood project and rural electrification.
She also stated that she would do her best to boost friendship between Zambian and Nicaraguan peoples and that she would consolidate and develop the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperative relations between the two countries.
She was quick to invite President Ortega and his wife to visit tourist attractions in Zambia and specifically the Victoria Falls.
“As you know, Zambia is a tourist destination and hosts one of the seven wonders of the world, the Musi O Tunya, 19 national game parks, rivers, lakes and the wonderful friendly people of Zambia,” she added.
The Zambian Ambassador also seized the occasion to brief the Nicaraguan President on Zambia’s strategy concerning the fight against corruption adding that the Zambian government through its law enforcement agencies has instituted the biggest anti-corruption crusade on the continent of Africa and that these efforts are deterring many from such evil practices.
In turn, the Nicaraguan President welcomed the appointment of Ambassador Mbikusita-Lewanika to Nicaragua .
President Ortega praised the Zambia-Nicaragua relations and expressed admiration for Zambia’s economic achievements.
He added that he has been closely following up the developments and was hopeful that the economic strides will benefit the people of Zambia.
He said he still had profound memories of his visit to Zambia with his wife in 1983.
FINANCE MINISTER, HON NG'ANDU MAGANDE ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON DC FOR SPRING MEETINGS
Finance and National Planning Minister, Hon, Ng'andu Magande has arrived in Washington DC to attend the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings.
Mr. Magande who arrived at Dulles Airport from AddisAbaba was met by Zambia's Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika and other seniorembassy staff.
The Minister is accompanied by the Director (BudgetOffice), Mr. Danies Chisenda and other seniorofficials from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.
The Spring meetings will convene on April 12 and 13 to discuss the work of the IMF and the World Bank -specifically in overcoming poverty in the poorestcountries, particularly in Africa.
They will also focus on the status of the UnitedNations Millenium Development Goals, growthstrategies, fragile situations and post conflictstates.
The IMF and World Bank say the meetings will also takestock of recent economic developments, including sharply higher commodity prices and the challenges and opportunities they pose for low and middle income countries
While in Washington DC. the Minister of Finance is scheduled to meet with the IMF Managing Director
Dominique Strauss-Khan and the Deputy IMF Managing Director, Murilo Portugal.
According to a programme of activities released by the Zambian Embassy in Washington DC, Mr. Magande will also meet with Dr. Obi Ezekwesili, Vice President of the African Region of the World Bank as well as Peter Gakunu who is Executive Director for Africa at the International Monetery Fund (IMF)
He will also hold a meeting with Mrs. Gunilla Carlson, the Swedish Minister for International Development.
Other meetings will include the 13th Commonwealth Ministerial Debt Sustainability Forum tomorrow Wednesday April 9, meetings with the IMF Staff and the United States Treasury on Thursday, April 10.
he was quick to invite President Ortega and his wife to visit tourist attractions in Zambia and specifically the Victoria Falls.
“As you know, Zambia is a tourist destination and hosts one of the seven wonders of the world, the Musi O Tunya, 19 national game parks, rivers, lakes and the wonderful friendly people of Zambia,” she added.
The Zambian Ambassador also seized the occasion to brief the Nicaraguan President on Zambia’s strategy concerning the fight against corruption adding that the Zambian government through its law enforcement agencies has instituted the biggest anti-corruption crusade on the continent of Africa and that these efforts are deterring many from such evil practices.
In turn, the Nicaraguan President welcomed the appointment of Ambassador Mbikusita-Lewanika to Nicaragua .
President Ortega praised the Zambia-Nicaragua relations and expressed admiration for Zambia’s economic achievements.
He added that he has been closely following up the developments and was hopeful that the economic strides will benefit the people of Zambia.
He said he still had profound memories of his visit to Zambia with his wife in 1983.