Rule of law crucial for FDI to Zambia

Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Palan Mulonda, says the judiciary plays a critical role in marketing Zambia as an attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Ambassador Mulonda said the work of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law, guaranteeing freedoms and fighting corruption in the country had become critical considerations for attracting foreign direct investment and development assistance.

He gave an example of the Millennium Challenge Compact, a partnership between the American and Zambian governments, which places a premium on upholding the rule of law, guaranteeing freedoms and fighting corruption as eligibility criteria.

Mr Mulonda was speaking when four high court judges and three officials from the Zambian government paid a courtesy call at the Zambian Embassy in Washington DC on today April 30th.

This is contained in a press release made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, April 30th  by First Secretary to the Press at the Zambian Embassy in Washington DC, Patricia Littiya.

The judges include Judge-in-charge at Kitwe High Court, Justice Kaoma, Kitwe High Court Judge, Justice Judy Mulongoti, Lusaka High Court Judge, Justice Nichola Phiri and Kabwe High Court Judge, Justice Elita Mwikisa.

Others were Chief Administrator, Egipiso Mwansa, Deputy Director of Court Operations for the Lusaka High Court ,Charles Kafunda and Deputy Director of Operations at Supreme Court, Mathew Zulu.

The delegation is in the United States at the invitation of the United States State Department programme on the Rule of Law and Administration of Justice.

And speaking on behalf of the delegation, Justice Kaoma said the visit would afford the delegation an opportunity to learn about the American judicial system.

Judge Kaoma noted that there was a lot to learn during the visit especially that Zambia was undergoing judicial reforms.

She said among the critical areas that the Zambian delegation would look at would be the alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as court annexed medication critical for speedy resolution of disputes.