Saturday, April 20, 2024

President Hichilema hails Zambia-USA friendship

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President Hakainde Hichilema says the government will not change the country’s values to conform to those of the United States of America (USA).

President Hichilema however, acknowledges that Zambia and USA both believe in upholding the rule of law, human rights and tenets of democracy which should not be mistaken that Zambia has adopted American values.

President Hichilema was speaking at State House yesterday afternoon when USA visiting Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jose Fernandez called on him.

President Hichilema lamented that the media has misinterpreted the values the two countries share.

“We are not altering our values to align with American values, these are our values. They happen to be shared by Americans as well,” he said.

And President Hichilema observed that despite the African continent believing in democracy and the rule of law, the gains the continent has made in the past have seen a backward trend lately.

“Of late we have seen a backsliding effect, a bit of extremism coming through on our continents spreading to areas where it was not normal before, Mozambique for example,” he said.

US Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jose Fernandez
US Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jose Fernandez

And President Hichilema thanked the United States Government for supporting Zambia in the area of HIV/AIDS.

“We are grateful for what we have received on behalf of the Zambian People in the HIV space,” he said.

And the President hailed the recent decision by First Quantum Minerals to approve plans for a $1.25 billion expansion of the company’s Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia.

He said the investment by the Canadian firm which has a significant number of American investors is positive for Zambia’s economic growth.

Mr Hichilema wooed the United States to equally invest in other sectors.

He also invited the United States to offer technical expertise and capital to Zambia in the area of electric vehicles.

Speaking earlier, Mr Fernandez hailed Zambia for having huge economic potential.

He said his country stands ready to partner with Zambia to create jobs and prosperity.

Mr Fernandez said the partnership between the two countries is extremely important.

“The US-Zambia partnership is critical to meeting the defining challenges of our time, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis as well as to promote a more inclusive, sustainable global economy and democratic renewal,” he said.

15 COMMENTS

  1. So going by the suit HH7 was wearing I can conclude that he met both the Chinese diplomat and US State offical on the same day.

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  2. It’s a and positive visit but it can be even better to further discuss areas in the Zambias export stratergies not only to the us but EU and China value markets It means Discussing trades and export terms to grow and restructure the current share of Zambias exports in traditional and non traditional The Investments in new mines and exploration by Anglo American and ARC minerals in new copper and Cobalt mines is also something that can be furtherred towards the increased copper and other minerals productivity Our economic recovery is based on how we increase value exports to these markets in the Us and Eu including China It’s a very good and welcome meeting arround these Trades and Investments and also technical corperations in other sectors of education and stem,heathy and…

  3. Though what will cement firm linkages in trades and Investments across all these sectors are the efforts by the US governments to give a share of TRADE missions to Zambia leading and bringing closure US business opportunities,firms and Industrial zones for trades and Investments preposition The US could have so many trade missions to Asia or Europe but if non is brought closer to Zambias local businesses here and not in the US then there will still be much to do to increase share of exports and trades It’s a good visitations. Okay

  4. Mozambique is the new frontier in GAS and oil that is why it’s now of interest and focus so also having a stratergy to move in closer could be significantly important for Zambia we already have facilities nearer to other countries so partnerships with US and EU energy firms is an opportunity also for Indeni and other storage facilities here for refinery not only motor but the jet fuels now

  5. Not surprising coming from this muzungu anikonde. He is an oreo, black on the outside and whlte on inside.

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  6. The potential for venture backed companies to grow US FDIs to Zambia are also many in in chemicals, electrical and metals sectors including new battery and other critical components manufacturing Investments here in Zambia for those plants and economic zones in Ohio California and including others it cannot and may not happen at once but working out stratergies on how to increase real Investments to address the unemployment and fiscal revenues shortfalls enters taking a view on Trillion economies for trades and Investments taking also advantage of the huge demographic economies in exports of food and beverages products it’s also about going the share of industrial participation here to export having negotiated trade terms including tariffs. There is much to be done but could be done

  7. We’ll see whether this new found friendship will actually deliver something. In the last ten years both the USA and the countries from the European Union were VERY good in putting forward many conditions for whatever they were going to deliver, while the Chinese were very good in promising everything in exchange for loans we couldn’t pay back. I wish the UPND government much wisdom in choosing between two evils.

  8. US companies are also investing in wind and solar projects to help power the mines and manufacturing that will create jobs and increase exports.

  9. #8 Patriotic zambian

    “The way the man smile when around abasungu…Chaaai.Mwe Lesaaaaaa….”

    It’s better than lungu licking Chinese ass.ses while they bribed him…………

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