Dr Simbyakula presents Letters of Credence to Belize Governor General, pays courtesy call on Prime Minister

Belize City, Thursday 19 September 2019 — Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States - with extra accreditation to Belize- Dr Ngosa Simbyakula on Wednesday presented his Letters of Credence to the Central American nation’s Governor General Sir Colville Young and paid a courtesy call on The Right Honorable Prime Minister Dr Dean Barrow in the commercial capital of Belize City.

In presenting his credentials to Sir Colville in the administrative capital of Balmopan, Dr Simbyakula called for closer cooperation between Zambia and Belize.

He said Zambia had noted Belize’s development efforts and viewed “with great admiration the strides that Belize was making in implementing its development agenda called Horizon 2030”.

“Your Excellency, it may be of interest for you to note that Zambia is also implementing its Vision 2030 which is strongly taking shape and transforming our country into a vibrant middle-income nation. In that regard, we believe our two countries can learn a lot from initiatives in both nations and share experiences that can be beneficial to our peoples. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to implore the respective agencies of the two countries promoting youth development and entrepreneurship, commerce and trade to establish contact and learn from one another’s experiences as well as explore opportunities for trade and investment.”

The Head of State of Belize later held private talks with High Commissioner Simbyakula.

Earlier, in welcoming Dr Simbyakula to Belize, Prime Minister Barrow expressed delight with the special greetings from President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and called for enhanced cooperation between Zambia and Belize.

“It is a real pleasure to meet you. It is my hope you’re enjoying your stay and your meetings are progressing well,” said Dr Barrow, who is the first black Prime Minister of Belize, the fourth head of Government since the Central American and Caribbean disposed nation’s independence in September 1981.

“Let me reiterate that we absolutely need closer cooperation and to enhance our contacts for the good of our countries and people,” Dr Barrow said.

Dr Simbyakula said Zambia and Belize should strive for closer ties in South–South Cooperation. He also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister and Belize citizenry to consider visiting Zambia which he said was the home of the Victoria Falls, one of the wonders of the world and Africa’s top tourism and business destination.

Belize Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington applauded the great strides Africa was making under the auspices of the AU.

Mr Elrington recognized the work and development platforms pan-Africanists and independence heroes played in shaping the future of the continent.

He said African countries needed to guard and fully utilize their abundant natural resources for development of the people.

He also requested High Commissioner Simbyakula to help facilitate a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji on the sidelines of the UNGAS next week.

Dr Simbyakula also wished the Prime Minister and the people of Belize happy 38th independence celebrations. Belize, formerly British Honduras and a member of the Commonwealth, got its independence on 21st September 1981.

Issued by:

First Secretary - Press & Public Relations
Embassy of the Republic of Zambia
United States of America
Washington D.C. 20008