President Edgar Lungu says Zambia exported goods and services into Zimbabwe exceeded US$1.3 billion in a period of four years while imports from Zimbabwe into Zambia over the same period were above US$486 million in terms of trade and investments.
Opening the 56th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo dubbed, “stimulating trade, seizing opportunities to accelerate growth,” President Lungu said relations between the two countries have strengthened from 2010 to 2014.
“Exports into Zimbabwe exceeded US$1.3bn while imports from Zimbabwe into Zambia over the same period were above US$486m. The trade and investment relations between the two countries have strengthened over the years from 2010 to 2014,” President Lungu said.
Mr. Lungu said, the two countries have witnessed private sector players from both countries investing in both Zimbabwe and Zambia in terms of investments.
Mr. Lungu said the 2015 Fair theme was befitting and timely as the two countries and the region are implementing reforms aimed at stimulating trade within the countries and across borders.
He said the trade fair should be viewed as a platform for organisations to interact, create business partnerships and promote trade and investment in Zimbabwe and the region.
He further disclosed that the fair has come at the time when Zimbabwe and Zambia need to seize the various business opportunities and accelerate economic growth, implementing measures aimed at ensuring that value addition to the various resources Zimbabwe and Zambia is endowed with.
The President said in terms of investments, Zambia and Zimbabwe which he termed as siamese twins have witnessed private sector players from both countries investing in the two countries.
Mr. Lungu reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that the two countries enhance and stimulate trade in line with the trade fair’s theme.
Mr. Lungu directed Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe to closely work with her Zimbabwean counterpart to ensure that the Victoria Falls – Livingstone one-stop border post which was opened during the 2013 United Nations World Trade Organisation is operationalized.
He urged border agencies to compliment the efforts of the private sector particularly the small and medium entrepreneurs and ensure that trade between the two countries flows smoothly and is uninterrupted.
“I would like to urge all our border agencies to compliment the efforts of our private sector, in particular, our small and medium entrepreneurs and ensure that trade between our two countries flows smoothly and uninterrupted,” President Lungu said.
President Lungu recollected that since time immemorial, Zimbabwe and Zambia have worked together in the implementation of some important projects such as the construction and management of the Kariba dam, the establishment of the first of its kind in Africa Chirundu border one-stop border post among others.
Mr. Lungu commended the board, management and staff of the 56th ZITF for making this year’s fair is a great success.
He paid tribute to President Robert Mugabe for inviting him to grace the 56 edition of ZITF and for the strides that country has made not only in the economic fields, but also in other human endeavours.
Whilst in Zimbabwe, President Lungu attended the extra– ordinary SADC summit whose main objective was to put the region’s industrialisation and development agenda at the centre in order to deepen and broaden productive capacities and enhance competitiveness.
This is the second official engagement the Zambian Head of state has made since assuming office in January this year.
President Lungu is accompanied to Zimbabwe by his wife, the First Lady Esther, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, his Spokesperson Amos Chanda, Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe and other senior government officials.
He is expected back home this afternoon.
But did he collapse this time? He is a vry big embarrassment to all Zambians. come back home you sickling president.
In Zimbabwe our Edgar Lungu is equated to a foreign Affairs Minister not even to a Defense Minister no wonder you wont find Mugabe welcoming him.
Mugabe sees Lungu to be one of his garden boys.
YOU are just one hopeless b!tch! Always calling others sick and yet it’s your spouses who end up dying…mwanya mukalapwa ifi fine kena kali gwaaa!
Surely there are more important duties that he should be executing! just a few days ago he was opening Mukuba mall. The lack of working for the people will get him removed next year…The puppet can’t survive for long if he carries on.
Ms Malama, your comments on our president need to be sensored. In a democratic system, we need to respect wishes of the majority even if our preferred leaders don’t make it to the top. I know you are a good person and you care for Zambia so much. Try and sensor sensor your comments and let the best of you be seen in your positive criticism.
Apparently Mugabe is dead and Lungu is running the two countries!
I honestly think I am very dull that is why I write such trash about my President
Because of too much alchohol Mr Lungu’s hands shakes so to avoid this seen in public he always holds hands together. You will never see this man with hands hanging freely unless he puts in 2 wisks.
Trash like Hilda Malama (from his/her writing must be Tonga and an HH supporter) make me embarrassed of being a Zambian. Although I have never liked, do not like, will never like HH, I will not reduce my self to the level of UpDn supporters of insulting HH. May be it is a question of education levels attained! I will never know.
Hildah Malama,
You are not only dull but also imbecilic. How do you ask the President to come back home… where you yourself are not. Which home? Where you are or back to Zambia? Wherever you are, your neighbours have difficult understanding you. Why not just keep quiet?
What an export!!!
I think hildah malama has never attained tertiary education, so it’s very difficult for her to understand both economic and governance issues. she just bluffs. too bad mama. there is still time for her to get even ka certificate in social work
Prophetess of doom and fake author of health and life Hildah Malama; Beware not to enter the casket’ healthy’ earlier than your perceived sick and dying Lungu by the power of your tongue.
The quality of debate on this site is so low, and boring!
May Zimbabwe be Zimbabwe once more.
Zambia gains from this relationship..no doubt..We have Zimbabweans in zambia but no xenophobia..