President Banda Drives Economic Prosperity for Zambia at COMESA Summit

LUSAKA, Zambia, September 1, 2010 - His Excellency President Rupiah Banda returned today from the 14th Annual
COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) Summit in Swaziland.

President Banda said, "It is hugely important for Zambia to maintain good
trade links with other countries in the region and the world. By improving
trade we will encourage foreign investment in Zambia and develop new markets
for our products and crops, bringing more jobs and prosperity to all
Zambians."

Over the last few years of President Banda's rule, Zambia has attracted
nearly US$6bn of investment, expected to create over 103,000 jobs, including
those in the fields of electronics, alternative energy and
telecommunications. This follows President Banda's 2008 pledge to turn Zambia
into a regional hub; last week's opening of the Zambia-Malawi railway line
was just one of the recent successes of this plan.

The theme of the COMESA Summit is 'Harnessing Science and Technology for
Development'. Zambia is currently working to improve its telecommunications
services, seen in the recent privatization of the Zamtel telephone network,
to improve business conditions and development across the country. This has
delivered a 70% reduction in call costs, new jobs and greater investment in
Zambia.

The President held numerous discussions with other heads of state during
the Summit, with the aim of enhancing economic stability and prosperity in
Zambia and the region. He took part in debates about trade with the European
Union, and called for increasing cooperation with the East African Community
and the Southern African Development Community, of which Zambia is a key
member.

COMESA was formed in 1994 as a trading bloc; it currently has a
membership of 19 countries with a combined population of more than 400
million people. The aim of the organisation is to achieve sustainable
economic prosperity through regional integration. Other members include DRC,
Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Issued by: Dickson Jere, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT, PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, press at presidentbanda.com