LUSAKA, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Thursday appealed to countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc to legislate laws to introduce a quota system of rail transportation of goods as opposed to road transport.

Lubinda Linyama, chairperson of the state-run Zambia Railways, said the quota system as initiated by Zambia will revitalize the rail sector in the region as it will become a priority mode of transportation of bulky goods.

The official, in remarks delivered at the 8th Southern African Railways Association Conference and Exhibition, said it was possible for governments in the region to legislate laws that will ensure transportation of goods and passengers by rail as this will improve business opportunities.

According to him, the position taken by the Zambian government in introducing a quota system in the transportation of goods and services by rail will benefit the region as a whole as it will help to save roads that were in poor condition.

In January, the Zambian government introduced a law to compel transporters of heavy cargo to move 30 percent of bulk cargo from road to railway.

The decision was meant to optimize the transport sector and promote the sustainability of rail subsector as well as to protect the country's roads.