Sunday, February 9, 2025

President Hichilema kick starts visit to Japan with visit to Toyota Motors

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President Hakainde Hichilema began his four-day working visit to Japan this morning with a train ride from Tokyo to Nagoya City, where he toured Toyota Motors Corporation.

During the visit, President Hichilema held productive discussions with Toyota Tsusho Corporation’s leadership, led by Group President and chief executive officer Ichiro Kashitani. As the world’s largest automobile manufacturer, producing approximately 10 million vehicles annually, Toyota’s interest in expanding its investment in Zambia is a significant development. Toyota Tsusho is exploring opportunities beyond the automotive sector, with plans to diversify into energy and pharmaceuticals.

President Hichilema encouraged the corporation to capitalize on Zambia’s favorable investment climate, abundant natural resources, and mineral wealth by investing in value-addition ventures that support their manufacturing supply chain. He specifically urged Toyota to establish a parts manufacturing plant in Zambia that could integrate with Toyota’s manufacturing operations in South Africa.

In a statement, State House chief communication specialist Clayson Hamasaka said the President also called on Toyota Tsusho Corporation to expedite the resumption of feasibility studies for the proposed PV solar power station in Zambia. He emphasised the government’s commitment to energy security through diversification away from hydroelectric power. The New Dawn administration, he noted, has introduced reforms to open the energy sector to private investment, recognising energy as a key driver of economic growth and industrial production.

As Zambia’s Chief Marketing Officer, President Hichilema reaffirmed his dedication to positioning the country as a prime investment destination, fostering economic development, and creating job opportunities, particularly for the youth.

By Benedict Tembo

14 COMMENTS

  1. GRZ buys a lot of Toyota vehicles. So, it’s imperative that HH asks Toyota to set up an assembly plant in Zambia. The rest of the assembled vehicles can find market in surrounding countries.

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    • How can any major company set up a facility in Zambia when we have lod shedding with power being supplied for only 2 to 4 hours a day if any???

      Let’s be realistic!

      Rather the govt is prioritizing supply of power to the mines that continue to destroy our environment and that have added no value whatsoever to the economy and are only providing jobs, the number of jobs they are providing are even less than what other industries that have suffered due to the power situation would have employed.

      Let’s stop mining in this country and focus on other sectors of the economy such as agriculture and tourism.

  2. When it is very clear to the world that Africans should learn to be self reliant, our clown is busy doing the opposite. Trump has told you the truth but you are busy clowning around. Toyota cannot setup a plant in Zambia because market size. How many Zambians can afford a brand new Toyota. Even the government fails to buy brand new Toyota, that is why we are even in the Ambulance scandal. Those Toyotas you see on our roads and even the Cru Cru are not brand new. Open you eyes you slave minded people.

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    • That is Trump. And isnt he waking back on the same silly policies? Dont make naive statements that lack fact. Just because trump says so, doent mean the entire work is in toe. Learn to distingish (national statements and where the entire world says so) and think critically.

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  3. Brand new toyotas are very expensive so market for second hand from china and dubai
    Is more in demand.The other route is South Africa where you can get it abit reasonable.So
    Toyota showroom not for the average earning.

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  4. Surely this is a working President discussing business with an emerging economy. This how an economy can be repaired after others who used to go abroad to dance dununa reverse destroyed it.

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  5. A dream too far !! an assembly plant is far more complicated than some realise
    Start with the fundimental industries and work upwards not the other way around

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  6. In the heart of Congo, where rivers flow,
    A dream awakens, in the sun’s warm glow.
    Inga’s Dam, a promise, strong and bright,
    Harnessing power, igniting the night.

    Mountains may tremble, and storms may roar,
    Yet hope stands firm on this sacred shore.
    With each stone laid, and each beam aligned,
    A future of progress, in unity, we find.

    Waters will whisper, as turbines spin,
    A song of tomorrow, where dreams begin.
    For every child, a chance to rise,
    Inga’s light shining, beneath endless skies.

  7. Inga’s Dam, a beacon bright,
    Where rivers dance in morning light.
    Yet whispers say, as shadows glide,
    The grass is greener on the other side.

    Dreams of power, hope takes flight,
    But distant valleys call with might.
    With every wave, a choice to make,
    To build our future, or let it break.

  8. Mr President please tell them the truth that it can’t happen in Zambia we have continuously had load shedding which has killed industries I hope you won’t lie to them like you lied to us

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  9. In March’s grip, the earth did shake,
    A silent fear, a deep mistake.
    Waves surged high, a fierce embrace,
    Fukushima faced a tragic race.

    Metal giants, once stood tall,
    Now shadows cast, a haunting call.
    Radiant dreams turned to despair,
    Lives forever changed, a heavy air.

    Yet from the ashes, hope will rise,
    Resilience blooms beneath dark skies.
    In memory’s light, we strive to learn,
    For every heart, a lesson earned.

  10. HH has been exposed by the presidency as a scammer!! He would have been at home trying to solve the basic problems of high food prices and electricity shortages. Instead he takes his gang to Japan to look at possible solutions even when the task is clear at home what is supposed to be done! Such work can be done by others in the Ministry of Commerce. It is also clear that before the presidency this man never traveled extensively, although he claimed to be a sophisticated man with contacts. This is actually a mockery against Zambians that voted for a Moses to take them to the Promised land. Instead Zambia is now in the stone age experiencing load shedding as a result of mismanaging the water resources and exporting power.

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