President Hakainde Hichilema has disclosed that President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is expected to arrive in the country by Friday 29 April 2022 and the two governments will sign agreements aimed at accelerating trade between DRC and Zambia
Speaking during the official launch of the Public Private Dialogue Forum for Private Sector and Economic Development, President Hichilema said the agreements would enable the country to unlock the stringencies that have been inhibiting trade between Zambia and Congo.
The Head of State explained that the agreements would cover a range of areas such as traditional exports-small, medium and large as well as look at how the two countries will work together strategically as countries that are leading in terms of nature’s endowment in electrical vehicle industry on the African continent.
“We have decided to work together with Congo and create strategic value as other countries did before who are oil producing. This is our oil as well going forward and we would like the business community to be part of it”, President Hichilema said.
He noted that government is motivated by the need to harness trade and investment opportunities for the private sector on the local, regional, continental and international markets adding that the UPND administration wants to promote value chains and value addition for various commodities and products as well as create jobs and wealth for the citizens.
President Hichilema said creating businesses that pay taxes to the treasury and businesses that deliver dividends to its shareholders delivers value to all citizens therefore the need to support growth as a country by supporting businesses that create jobs and government must sustain those jobs by ensuring that the businesses succeed commercially.
He said government has committed to an inclusive, transparent and accountable dialogue mechanism with the private sector noting that there have been many efforts to unlock business opportunities in the country and with the launch of the Public Private Dialogue Forum platform, the benefits of those efforts will be realised.
The Head of State stressed that the private sector is the engine for job creation and its role in contributing to government’s vision for economic development cannot be undermined, as it is not possible for government to develop the country alone adding that economic development will expand the market for the private sector.
