New Delhi: Responding to India’s demand seeking liberal Visa regime, Zambia said on April 21 said that its Embassy in New Delhi would be given the right to issue Visas.

In a quick response to Minister of State for Exetrnal Affairs, Digvijay Singh's request that Zambia should liberalise its Visa regime, the visiting Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa said, "The issue of all Visas being issued from Lucaka (Zambian capital) is being actively considered...Embassy will be given the right to issue Visas."

Addressing a business meeting organised jointly by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Mwanwasa sought to further strengthen trade ties with New Delhi and invited Indian businessmen to invest in the African nation.

He said Zambia was committed to create a conducive business environment and added that the country had already liberalised its economy and opened up various sectors including financial services for foreign investment.

Elaborating on liberalisation measures undertaken by Zambia, he said his country had lifted restrictions from repatriation of profits, dividends and royalties, imports and exports and was working on attaining macro-economic stability.

Mwanwasa assured Indian businessmen that his government was working on national airline and said that soon there could be a direct link between Lusaka and New Delhi.

He, however, said Air India should consider starting such a service, which would be beneficial to business communities of both the countries.

PTI