Simuusa calls for closer ties with Israel

Mr Simuusa said plans were underway for Zambia to open a mission in Israel and that the Israeli Government also intended to take a similar approach.
He said this when he saw off eight University of Zambia (UNZA) students who have been awarded scholarships by the Israeli Government to train in agriculture in that country for one year.
“As you may know, Israel is advanced in terms of technology, agriculture and telecommunications, and this is why as Zambia we hope to emulate that country especially in the area of agriculture,” he said.
Mr Simuusa commended Israel for allowing the Zambian students to study agriculture in that country.
He urged the students not to waste the chance they had been given but to be serious in assisting Zambia develop the agriculture sector.
“As you know, we are trying to diversify and develop other areas of economic development aside from mining.
He said Zambia had the potential to develop its agriculture industry and that Government was determined to make the country the bread basket of the region.
UNZA School of Agriculture assistant Dean, Benson Chishala thanked Government for facilitating the Israeli programme for the students.
“As UNZA, we cannot survive alone, we need to operate with outside institutions as well,” he said.
Dr Chishala said the opportunity given to the students would go a long way in contributing to development of the agriculture sector in Zambia.
Speaking later in an interview, student representative Ronald Lengwe thanked the Israeli and Zambian Governments for the opportunity that had been given to them to advance their studies.
Seven students from the Copperbelt University had left earlier, bringing the total number of the students on the programme to 15.