Ireland mulls strategy to woo investment to Zambia

The Irish government has said it was working on a strategy that will woo investors to invest in various sectors of Zambia and other African countries, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Wednesday. Irish Aid Secretary General David Cooney said Zambia and his country have enjoyed cordial relations over the years, and that it was important to maintain the relations by promoting Irish investment in the southern African nation. "We are working on an African strategy that will woo investors to come and invest here," he was quoted as saying by the paper during an event to mark St Patrick's Day, an Irish national holiday. The Irish official further said his government was working with the Zambian government on a diaspora strategy to enhance contribution of Zambians working abroad to the country's economy. The Irish government, he said, will soon send experts to Zambia to help the government come up with a diaspora strategy that could help the country get more from its citizens abroad. In November last year, the Irish government organized an African-Ireland Economic Forum in Dublin attended by African delegates and key Irish governments to provide an opportunity for Irish business executives to connect with African experts to explore opportunities for increase trade and investment.