SIKUMBA WOES CHINESE INVESTORS

­­­By Brian Mwale:

Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba has called on China to seize investment opportunity in Zambia’s tourism sector by partnering with Zambians.

Speaking when Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie paid a courtesy call on him this morning, Mr. Sikumba said the New Dawn administration is cognizant of the tourism potential and benefits that come with Chinese market.

The Minister said his Ministry will work out modalities to make sure that a good number of the Zambian population including tour operators are vaccinated against Covid-19 so that visiting tourists can have confidence of their safety as they visit the country.

Mr. Sikumba said the push for domestic tourism and the call on local investments in the sector was owing to the survival of the industry because of covid 19.

And the Chinese envoy called on the minister to see how the new dawn government could facilitate a visa on arrival to lessen travel challenges for Chinese tourists to Zambia.

He said the current situation where Chinese nationals strictly depends on getting visas from the Zambian embassy in Beijing or the consular in Guangzhou discourages some visitors as they have to leave their cities just to facilitate their travels.

Mr. Li expressed happiness that the World Health Organization has certified that the Chinese vaccines meet international standards.

ROBERTOCTOBER 27, 202106500

Source: ZNBC