Business / Economy
Zimbabwe, five other nations mull regional agro-bank
23 Jun 2011 at 00:13hrs | Views
African countries' leaders at the ninth Langkawi International Dialogue held in Langkawi on Tuesday are mulling over creating a regional agro-bank for greater access to micro-credit schemes to boost food security.
Leaders of Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Lesotho, Swaziland, Uganda, Kenya and some others in the continent expressed "great concerns on global food shortages and the increase in the prices of food which posed a serious threat to socio-economic growth" in a document released yesterday that summarises the outcome of the three-day dialogue.
They were also optimistic that African countries are resourceful to respond positively to food crisis and said that the proposed agro-bank would ease the supply constraints in agricultural inputs and hike food production both in short and long terms, according to the document.
They agreed to deepen cooperation especially in research and development to produce fertiliser and animal feeds.
The dialogue, chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, saw the attendance of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Prime Minister Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili of Lesotho, Swaziland Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso, Ugandan Vice-President Edward Sekandi and Kenyan Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.
Some 540 representatives from different governments and private businesses were also present at the dialogue, which was founded by Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad to promote creative cooperation between governments and sectors contributing to economic activities. The dialogue concluded on Tuesday.
Leaders of Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Lesotho, Swaziland, Uganda, Kenya and some others in the continent expressed "great concerns on global food shortages and the increase in the prices of food which posed a serious threat to socio-economic growth" in a document released yesterday that summarises the outcome of the three-day dialogue.
They were also optimistic that African countries are resourceful to respond positively to food crisis and said that the proposed agro-bank would ease the supply constraints in agricultural inputs and hike food production both in short and long terms, according to the document.
They agreed to deepen cooperation especially in research and development to produce fertiliser and animal feeds.
The dialogue, chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, saw the attendance of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Prime Minister Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili of Lesotho, Swaziland Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso, Ugandan Vice-President Edward Sekandi and Kenyan Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.
Some 540 representatives from different governments and private businesses were also present at the dialogue, which was founded by Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad to promote creative cooperation between governments and sectors contributing to economic activities. The dialogue concluded on Tuesday.
Source - ippmedia
