US opens Commercial Service Office in Zambia

By Rosemary Kamanga

The United States has opened its first-ever Commercial Service Office in Zambia at the US Embassy in Lusaka.

The Office which is the thirteenth in Africa will work to maximize business opportunities for both countries.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister CHIPOKA MULENGA says the initiative is in line with the government’s vision to improve the living standards of Zambians.

Mr MULENGA says the new partnership will help improve the country’s business portfolio and provide a platform for value addition to agriculture and mining products among others.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the US Commercial Service Office in Lusaka today.

And US Ambassador to Zambia MICHAEL GONZALES says the new office will help shift the US-Zambia relationship from aid to trade, investment and business ties.

Mr GONZALES also says the Office will contribute to bolstering strong trade and investment ties between the US and Zambia through one on one business counseling, export facilitation expertise and information on the Zambia market among others.

And US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets ARUN VENKATARAMAN says the relationships the Office will create with the government and the business community will deepen economic engagement between the two countries.