Thu, 06 Apr 2017 10:54:09 +0000
By ANNIE ZULU
ZAMBIA’s peaceful nature provides a favourable environment for investment, Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba has said.
Mr Kalaba said this yesterday when Czech Ambassador designate to Zambia Radek Rubes paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Lusaka.
He called on Czech Republic companies to take advantage of the peaceful environment in Zambia to invest in various sectors.
“Zambian remains a beacon of peace on the continent, which makes it more favourable for investment, as a nation we are in the process of diversification, so this is the right time for investment in various sectors,” Mr Kalaba said.
He further noted that the opening up of a Czech Republic mission in Zambia was a clear indication of the confidence that the international community had in the leadership of President Edgar Lungu.
He stated that the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) in agriculture by Czech Republic and the Zambian Government was significant as it comes at a time when President Lungu had prioritised Agricultural production.
Mr Kalaba also indicated that Zambia was keen to learn from Czech Republic in sectors such as energy and manufacturing.
And Ambassador Rubes said Zambia was among six countries worldwide that his government was increasing development cooperation.
He disclosed that the Czech Minister of Agriculture would be visiting Zambia at the end of April with a delegation from ten agro companies.
Mr. Rubes pointed out that his government would like to focus on Western Province, but stressed that it would wait to listen to the advice from the Zambian government on the matter.
“The government of Czech Republic would like to work with Zambia and increase Development Corporation between the two countries.
“We want to focus on Western province in terms of investment in agriculture, but we will engage the Zambian government on this. The Minister of Agriculture will be coming to Zambia soon with a delegation from ten agro companies,” he said.
