Zambia hails India for technical, economic aid

LUSAKA: Zambia has acknowledged that India's assistance to Zambia has gone a long way in supplementing its development agenda.

Finance and National Planning Deputy Minister Jonas Shakufuswa commended India for its continued technical and economic assistance.

The close historic interaction between the two countries has paved way for the establishment of diplomatic relations since Zambia's independence in 1964, Shakufuswa said during the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation day (ITEC) in Lusaka last evening.

He noted that Indian investment is further contributing to Government's economic recovery programme. Shakafuswa expressed hope that Zambian and Indian companies will continue to exploit the abundant resources in the country to explore new areas of cooperation.

The minister observed that cooperation between the two countries is a testimony of the commitment of both the governments towards promotion of south to south cooperation.

Speaking on the occasion, Indian High Commissioner to Zambia, River Wallang said ITEC is a vehicle which India utilises to channel its aid to Africa and other developing countries.

Wallang explained that the ITEC programme is based on India's own experience in development. He disclosed that his country will this year alone provide about 4000 scholarships under ITEC in the civilian sector from which Zambia will have 60 places.

Wallang added that Indian government is currently working with the ministry of science and technology to set up two public computer learning kiosks to enhance computer learning skills among Zambians.