Zambia’s manufacturing sector has “great potential”, said the director of investments at the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), Agness Chaila, calling on South African businesses to invest in the country’s developments.
Chaila was speaking during the trade and investment seminar that was hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in Zambia on Wednesday as part of its Outward Selling Mission (OSM) to Zambia.
“Zambia is also in need of infrastructure development, and with their extensive experience, South African businesspeople can partner with local firms to access investment opportunities that this sector has to offer. The 80 000-kilometre roads project is one example of an investment opportunity for South African firms,” said Chaila.
“We are inviting business people who will partner with our priority sectors especially the agricultural, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, tourism and mining sectors.”
South African High Commissioner to Zambia, Sikose Mji, pointed out during the seminar that Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries in the region needed each other now more than ever before to overcome economic challenges, commenting that it was through regional integration that trade and investment within the region would improve.
The Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Margaret Mwanakatwe, welcomed the fact that South Africa had recently granted market access for Zambian pure honey, noting that this was indicative of the “warm and cordial relations” that existed between the two countries.
“It is on the basis of these solid relations that we must strive and work hard to increase exports to South Africa, eventually reducing the negative trade balance that currently exists,” said Mwanakatwe.
