HON. CHIPOKA MULENGA, MP CALLS FOR ENHANCE DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC TIES
28TH MAY, 2024
Minister of commerce trade and industry Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, MP, has called on Zambia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands to enhance Diplomatic into economic ties that will give mutual economic benefits to both countries. Speaking virtually at the Zambia / Netherlands Trade and Investment Forum, in the Hague, Netherlands, Mr. Mulenga said Zambia is open for business through partnerships, joint ventures and direct investments and that Zambia will provide an enabling environment for private sector to thrive.
Mr. Mulenga emphasised Government’s efforts to counter the effects of the drought, which His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia declared as National disaster through investment in alternative renewable energy, and climate resilient agricultural practices and technology
The Business Forum which attracted over 50 Dutch Investors from Agriculture, Energy, Finance, Transport & Logistics and Waste Management, was organized by the Netherlands Africa Business Council (NABC) in collaboration with the Zambian Embassy in Belgium and the Zambia Development Agency.
In his opening remarks the Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg-BENELUX, His Excellency, Mr. Sylvester Mundanda, said Zambia has continued to record sustained peace and macroeconomic stability and is implementing policies that promote economic growth and development through emphasis on private sector participation as espoused by His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia. He said Zambia and the Netherlands have enjoyed warm and cordial bilateral relations since independence almost 60 years ago.
At the same event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ZDA and NABC to establish and strengthen collaboration in fostering corporation and investment promotion between Zambia and the Netherlands was signed. Mr. Chimuka Nketani, Director of Investment – ZDA, signed on behalf of the ZDA, while Ms. Rosmarijn Fens, Managing Director – NABC, signed on behalf of the NABC.
Representative of the Dutch Government, Mr. Jelte van Wieren Director for Sub Saharan Africa at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Netherlands has continued to enjoy cordial relations with Zambia citing the over 30 Dutch Companies are already operating in Zambia.
In his presentation, Mr. Nketani shared investment opportunities in priority sectors of Zambia and highlighted the attractiveness of Zambia as investment destination, with an emphasis of recent ranking of Zambia as 3rd most attractive investment destination in Africa. He further highlighted current Government policy reforms that favour sector private sector participation as main economic drivers.
Dutch Investors have expressed interest to partner with Zambian businesses in water harvest projects such as Dam construction for irrigation and animals, Renewable energy and waste management.
Issued By:
HAMBAYA MUNANG’ANDU
First Secretary – Press and Public Relations
Embassy of the Republic of Zambia
Brussels – Belgium