Intervention on Tourism by the Republic of Zambia

Honourable Norman K.M. Chibamba,

MP Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry

Third UN LDC Conference - Brussels, 14-20 may 2001

(Check Against Delivery)

Mr. Chairman,

Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to make a small intervention on tourism.

Mr. Chairman,

Tourism in Zambia was in 1996 re-classified from the social sector to an economic sector. This came about after government realized that the development of the economy depended on effective diversification.

Mr. Chairman,

Over the years, Zambia has had a mono –economy depending on copper, to generate all the necessary revenues for economic development. Due to the harsh conditions on the international market, copper prices began and continued to tumble and this heavy dependence on one product affected the economic equation of the country.

Tourism in this regard presented opportunities for diversification. As a result of its huge potential, the government has embarked on a legislative and institutional reform in the sector, in order to attract investments.

To this effect, Zambia has drawn up the tourism development strategy for 5 years, i.e. 2000-2005. In this document, development of tourism has been prioritized. This prioritization is on the argument that, resources are limited and that effective intervention in the sector is to have a focused development strategy.

Zambia faces a lot of constraints that inhibit tourism development. This relates to:

a) Undeveloped product- of the 19 national parks in the country only 3 are developed.

b) Infrastructure – roads and telecommunications are yet to be developed to support tourism.

c) Capacity building

d) Access to markets

e) Lack of domestic participation

Mr. Chairman,

It is true that most countries that have developed the tourism industry depend on domestic investment, as this will ensure re-investment into the sector.

I am therefore, appealing to our development partners, to assist Zambia in addressing the constraints I have already

Earlier alluded to. Tourism being rural based provides opportunities for poverty reduction if developed.

Mr. Chairman,

In conclusion, allow me to extend an invitation to you all to visit Zambia and experience the solar eclipse in total. This once in a lifetime event, which will be experienced on Thursday 21st June 2001, has generated a lot of interest worldwide.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.

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