HH, EL-SISI confer
By Mwila Nsofu
President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA has held bilateral talks with Egyptian President ABDEL FATTAH -EL -SISI.
The two leaders have called for strengthened bilateral ties between ZAMBIA and EGYPT in key sectors such as agriculture, health infrastructure, tourism, energy, aquaculture, among others.
The two leaders who are also members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa -COMESA- agreed on increased trade and investment through joint ventures in many sectors.
And, President HICHILEMA has appreciated the fast rate of development by Egypt which Zambia can draw positive lessons from.
The President noted that despite Egypt being largely a desert, the country is food secure because of the innovative ways in which the Arab nation has strategically invested in water harvesting mechanism and improved crop varieties that increase productivity.
And during the engagement, President HICHILEMA introduced Dr. SAMUEL MAIMBO as the candidate for the position of African Development Bank –AfDB- President and requested for support from Egypt and other countries in the North African region.
The bilateral talks were preceded by the guard of honour and ceremony by the Egyptian military at the Presidential Palace in the Egyptian capital of Cairo.
AND President HICHILEMA has directed the Ministry of Commerce through the Zambia Development Agency -ZDA- and other relevant government departments to speed up investment projects, by removing bureaucracy
He said this is to ensure Zambian citizens, particularly the young people, can have jobs and other opportunities.
Speaking when he addressed an Egyptian-Zambian business forum, President HICHILEMA also showcased the various opportunities and incentives available for Egyptian businesses to invest in partnership with Zambians.
President HICHILEMA noted the Egyptians’ strength in manufacturing, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and pharmaceutical industry as some of the key sectors that Egyptian businesses can invest in.
He said Zambia has a stable political environment, centrally located at the heart of Southern Africa, friendly people, young and energetic population plus fresh water bodies and generally good climatic conditions suitable for investment in many sectors.
Zambia and Egypt signed MoUs, which include Cooperation on Watopa Bridge on Kabompo River Project and Zambezi Bridge Connecting Zambezi East and Zambezi West and Mutanda – Mwinilunga -Ikelenge Road.
This is according to a statement issued to ZNBC News by State House Chief Communications Specialist CLAYSON HAMASAKA.
