President Edgar Lungu has asked Sweden to consider sending a trade delegation to Zambia to explore investment opportunities in the country.
And Mr. Lungu has implored the Swedish government to render more assistance to Zambia’s health sector.
Mr. Lungu said this when Swedish Prime Minister, Stefan Lofven paid a courtesy call on him at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa today.
He said Zambia has huge investment potential in mining, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism sectors.
President Lungu said there was need to invest in value addition to minerals such as copper which are found in Zambia.
He pointed out that adding value to copper would enable the country benefit more from its mineral resources.
Mr. Lungu said Swedish investors can form partnerships with local investors to invest in various areas of the economy adding that Zambia has a friendly investment environment.
He said that Zambia believes in dialoguing with investors when a concern arises over operations and profitability of investment.
And President Lungu has said there was need to improve the health sector in the country in order to mitigate the sufferings which Zambian people, especially women go through.
Mr. Lungu said women in Zambia walk long distances to health institutions for medical services.
The President however, said Zambia appreciates the assistance in the health sector which Sweden has been rendering for many years.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lofven disclosed that Sweden’s Minister of Health will visit Zambia in March this year for a fact finding mission.
He said his country and Zambia have long bilateral relations which can further be improved upon.
In another development, President Lungu held a meeting with the Japanese Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Takashi Uto at the same AU headquarters on the side-lines of the on-going summit.
Mr. Lungu said Zambia cherishes the friendship she has been enjoying with Japan since 1964.
He said Japan has invested in Zambia’s energy, education, sanitation and water sectors and called for more investment from Japan.
President Lungu said government was in a hurry to improve the economy hence the need for more foreign investment in the country.
And Mr. Uto noted that the peaceful manner in which Zambia conducted the recent presidential by-election will contribute to the growth of democracy in the country.
He said Zambia and Japan have been enjoying cordial relations and cooperation for a long time.
Meanwhile, President Lungu also held private talks with the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir.
This is good news for Zambia
Evryone is enjoying the way news is coming in, we tald you, you dont need to be a NASA scientist to kno EL has a heart for zambia and understand the way to go. So far its EL 10 to HH 0
Enyoy the fresh air coming
That Lungu he only invite other, he never get invited?
At least this one is engaging. Not sata whose only dialogue was touching other pipos heads. HH wud have been better though.
hahahahahahhahahahah…ati HH would have beet better. You have been bewitched by HH though. When we tell u HH is a satanist you refuse, here you are. The guy has brainwashed you with his Mansonic magic
@ Yabaa
When you are going to learn spelling? Please, stop using “crapology” to spread misplaced and offensive tribal crap.
Ifintu ni Lungu
HH is an experienced loser, having lost 4 presidential elections. He is more bitter now than he was when he lost to Sata.
He has scored what we call in football, “DOUBLE BRACE”
May God help him otherwise he will go to the grave a bitter person. he thinks no one in Zambia is any better than him
See how all kinds of leaders want to call on the wise man from the East? No way they could have called on Sata. Zambia is really heading for development now!
Well stated my friend, well stated.
God loves Zambia soooooo much….
That he even took Sata away!!!…..
Okay people come down do not get too excited. I am impressed with the type of investment EL is advocating for Zambia. However, there is a two way of development. One of it is International and the other is domestic and the focus should be domestic. These people have they own countries and only reach out to others for self-interest reasons. With Chikwanda at Finance our economy is going nowhere. Further, we need to grow our domestic income using our own initiative and resource, which EL has not proved he can do. HH on other has proved that he build nothing to something through his business experience and that is what Zambia needs. VIVA FLIGHT HH, 2016 IS YOURS
@Wise commentator
Let’s just give credit where it’s due…So far Lungu is doing exceptionaly well.
We can campaign for HH on the sidelines but let’s all support the Govt of the day PF.
And Mr. Uto noted that the peaceful manner in which Zambia conducted …..thankfully, he was not reading thus LT Blogs. How we verbally fought!
This is all good. PRESIDENT Lungu, our Hero!
If what LT have reported is how President Lungu went about marketing Zambia, then I am afraid his sales pitch needs a lot of working on and improvement, or else he will unintentionally attract briefcase infestors into our Country. We do not want that and neither does he. If he is surrounded by the same dead wood that surrounded late President Sata, then I am afraid we are headed for a lot of still births.
EL must be able to define the full scope of our Country’s potential in relation to our natural resources, our skill base, our traditions etc.. and must include our rural sector.
It is these moments that separate men and women from boys and girls. The vision matters.
Maybe ba LT omitted something.
……some of these investors come with ‘weird’ conditions….inviting investors is one of the simplest and basic responsibility of any head of state……anyone even ‘President’ Mulyokela would have done just that….ifintu ni lowering forex rate and stabilising it….ifintu ni putting your foot down and boldly instruct some of these investors to expel the Chinese and Indians casual labour/ tradesmen and employ Zambians in their place……abolish construction of houses for former head of state……..the list is long…..If Edgar did just half of the list…then he will qualify to be called….ifintu ni Lungu….
Don’t just invite people, you don’t even understand economical point, HH , would ha e been the right person, to interact with investor, any 2016, is just near, ifwe HH fye, tatwakaleke, flight HH 2016
Before any investor make investment commitment, there are number of issues to be addressed:
1. Cleansing of Judiciary;
2. Full compliance with International Treaties;
3. Elimination of rampant corruption in ZRA and Ministry of Land;
4. Implementation of Legislative framework for protection of investment and
5. Streamlining of investment process.
Until then, delegations will come and go, without any benefit to Zambians.
In so far we did hear a lot of “talkig the talk” , but nothing jet about “walikg the walk”