By James Kunda
LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Zambia announced Wednesday that it will open embassies in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates and Doha, Qatar as the southern African nation seeks to strengthen ties with Gulf countries.
Chief government spokeswoman Chushi Kasanda said in a statement that this was an outcome of a Cabinet session which deliberated on matters of foreign relations.
"One of the issues approved by the Cabinet was the opening of a resident embassy in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates in order to enhance bilateral relations and promote economic and political cooperation between Zambia and the UAE,” she said.
Zambia and the UAE established diplomatic relations in 1982. Currently, Zambia’s Ambassador to Egypt is also accredited to the United Arab Emirates, said Kasanda, who is also information and media minister.
She said the move would be advantageous for her country as the UAE’s oil reserves are the seventh-largest in the world, while its natural gas reserves are the world’s 17th largest.
"The UAE's economy is the most diversified in the Gulf Cooperation Council, with its most populous city of Dubai emerging into a center for international trade and transport. The two countries have since continued to enjoy warm and cordial relations that have created a platform for strengthened economic and political relations," she added.
Kasanda said the Cabinet also approved the opening of another resident embassy in Qatar to enhance bilateral relations and promote political and economic cooperation between the two countries.
"The Republic of Zambia and the State of Qatar enjoy warm and cordial relations, maintained since they were established. Currently, Zambia’s Ambassador in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is accredited to Qatar on a non-residential basis and the Zambian Government desires to consolidate relations with the State of Qatar through enhancing cooperation in various economic sectors," she said.
Kasanda said the economy of Qatar was one of the greatest in the world, based on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, ranking among the top richest countries.
She said petrochemicals and fertilizer supply made up a large portion of the industrial base along with steel and other construction materials.
"It has the world's third largest natural gas reserves, making it one of the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas, and also has the largest gas fields with its oil and gas reserves accounting for over 60% of its GDP. Therefore, with a resident embassy in Qatar, the Zambian government has a lot to benefit from economic ties with the State of Qatar," she added.