press releases

United States Donates Vehicles and Computers to the Zambia Business Forum and the Zambia National Tourist Board

May 12, 2005

The U.S. Government donated vehicles, computers and office furniture worth
K600 million to the Zambia Business Forum (ZBF) and the Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB). The ceremony transferring ownership to these two key business institutions took place at the ZBF secretariat premises, on Thursday May 12, 2005.

The donation to the ZBF consists of two four-wheel drive vehicles, computers, photocopiers, and office furniture. These items are part of a multi-donor arrangement to develop a full-time ZBF secretariat. The donation, through the U.S. Agency for International Development(USAID), will strengthen the ZBF as Zambia’s premier business organization and are expected to facilitate ZBF’s policy dialogue with the Government of Zambia.

USAID also donated computers, printers, and photocopiers to the ZNTB to help further the “Visit Zambia Campaign 2005.” The U.S. Government believes these two organizations – one private and one public - are important partners to promote private sector growth in Zambia.

Since its inception in 2002, the ZBF has played a significant role in helping various business associations speak with one voice.

Many of Zambia’s largest business associations are members of ZBF: the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Zambia National Farmers Union, the Zambia Association of Manufacturers, the Tourism Council of Zambia, the Chamber of Mines of Zambia, the Zambia Chamber of Small and Medium Business Associations, the Bankers Association of Zambia, the Zambia Federation of Employers, and the Zambia Indigenous Business Association. In keeping with its charter, the ZBF has become a voice for major business interests. The ZBF secretariat will ensure a coordinated approach in the business sector’s dialogue with government policy makers. The new donations should help the ZBF become an even more effective partner of the Government in national development.

Tourism stands out as one of Zambia’s key sectors for growth. A well functioning public sector entity such as the ZNTB can create the appropriate environment for private enterprise to flourish. The work of the ZNTB in launching the “Visit Zambia Campaign 2005” is a major component of the national strategy. The campaign hopes to expand tourism and to increase foreign exchange earnings.

During 2005, the ZNTB co-hosted with the Ministry of Tourism a very successful “Peace Through Tourism” conference which identified best practices to promote African tourism. Also, the ZNTB has strongly supported the centenary celebrations of the founding of the city of Livingstone and the 150th anniversary of the first sighting of the Victoria Falls by the Scottish explorer, Dr. David Livingstone. The USAID donations will raise ZNTB’s capacity to take on these new assignments.

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