MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba has invited the Polish business community for different trade fairs and exhibitions to be held in Zambia this year.
The exhibitions include the Agritech Expo scheduled from April 27 to 29 in Chisamba, the Zambia Mining and Energy Conference (ZIMEC) from June 22 to 23 in Lusaka and the Zambia Sustainable Energy Expo (ZSEE) from June 21 to 23 in Lusaka.
Others are the Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) scheduled from June 28 in Ndola and the Zambia International Building, Construction and Interiors Exhibition from November 9 to 11.
Mr Kalaba urged the Polish government to take advantage of Zambia’s stable political environment, attractive fiscal policies, availability of skilled human resource and abundant resources.
He said this during a bilateral meeting with Polish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Joanna Wronecka at Sheraton Hotel yesterday.
Mr Kalaba thanked the Polish minister, the 11 Polish companies and government representatives that came to Zambia in November 2016 to explore investment opportunities and business co-operation with Zambia.
“I note that Poland’s trade and investment activities have generally focused on its more immediate neighbours in the European Union such as Germany. However, Poland has undertaken a radical programme called ‘Go African’, which seeks to encourage Polish entrepreneurs to invest in Africa,” he said.
Mr Kalaba said there is also need for the two countries to exchange experiences regarding legislation of foreign investors, royalties, tax regime, incentives and value addition among others in the mining sector.
He said Zambia and Poland are yet to sign a general agreement on economic, scientific and technical co-operation.
Mr Kalaba said the two governments signed a double taxation avoidance agreement in 1995.
“However, records show that the Polish side ratified this agreement while the Zambian side did not. Due to time lapse, a fresh draft agreement on avoidance of double taxation will be submitted for the consideration of the Polish side,” Mr Kalaba said.
He said the two countries should consider co-operating in sectors such as agriculture, industry trade, governance programmes and in international relations by establishing a diplomatic exchange programme between the ministries of Foreign Affairs.
And Ms Wronecka said it is important for the two countries to establish a partnership and that “Zambia is becoming important to Poland”.
“And you have a Polish member of Parliament (MP) of Zambian origin who is very active,” she said in reference to Zambian-born and bred Polish economist and academician Dr Killion Munyama.
She said the new policies of the Polish government are trying to focus on creating close working ties with African countries.
Ms Wronecka invited the Zambian government to visit Poland and explore opportunities in that country and further asked government to support Poland as it vies for a seat on the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
Please we do not want the Polish people in Zambia. The way they behave here in the UK and how poor they are makes one wonder the trouble Zambia is inviting. They are parasites.
Kikiki I know what you mean but even the English see you as an African monkey parasite so better you come back and fight for change here in Zambia and help us end the dictatorship of pf. Me I just travel to UK to do shopping and play around.
Inviting foreigners to develop your country? Why not invest in your citizens, send them to school in these very countries that you think have the expertize, asure them jobs so that they come back, do not apply a “pull him down” syndrome on them? China, Japan and now India have done the same thing sending its citizens to learn in Europe and USA and come back to head various programs in their countries. Believe me, only Zambians can develop Zambia.
Kalaba and his associates have no idea whom they are inviting. Kalaba is better off inviting Botswana because they have a serious sense of duty and respect for the law. AND Botswana has financial resources to invest in sectors that would be great for both countries!
Kikiki these pf guys have no knowledge of international issues. Surely what meaningful trade can you do with the polish who are desperate to leave their own country for jobs in the United kingdom . Does kalaba know that Brexit was done as a way to avoid the polish and other poorer nations from immigrating to the UK. Now you want to invite these people who are racists in majority. Why not partner with our fellow Africans. Why do we have African union etc. That’s why president hh said all these regional organisations are useless. Lungu must go
What are we going to sell to Poland……….Our Heritage!!!!!!
Serious,y what have we got that Poland needs to import that it cant get from the European Community.
We send by road to a port, wait for a ship, the ship takes 3 weeks to european port, then has to be unloade and transported to poland by truck. Maybe 6 to 8 week trip…… but again what do we produce that is need in europe…
We have plenty of under utilized land. As of yesterday reports Poland has an unemployment rate of 8.3% so they are struggling nation. Choose investors wisely!!
@Masalamuso Yo wakalipa! And language you don’t understand kanshi they are talking about throwing you in the Vajsl? River (The Vistula)!
Useless investors