Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Wednesday.

-- Zambian President Edgar Lungu said collaboration with the Arab world was important for the development of the country and the African continent in general.

Lungu, who is in Equatorial Guinea attending the 4th Africa-Arab Summit, said Africa has been collaborating with the Arab world for a long time and would like to see fruitiness coming out of the relationship. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- Zambia is losing millions of money due to increased smuggling of emeralds out of the country, an industry body has said.

The Emerald and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia said the continued smuggling of emeralds out of the country has also resulted in investors being reluctant to invest in the industry as they can easily access the minerals on the black market. (Times of Zambia)

-- Authorities in Zambia and Botswana have pledged to work together to combat cross-border crime.

The two countries reaffirmed the importance of collaborating in resolving security issues between them and along the common border during a Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) meeting on defense and security. (Daily Nation) Endit