President Hakainde Hichilema has invited Japanese entrepreneurs to invest in various sectors of Zambia’s economy .
President Hichilema said Zambia is promoting a private sector led economy to achieve sustainable growth and development as enshrined in the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP) and the Vision 2030.
The Head of State stressed that this is the reason government recognises the significant role that the private sector plays in the country’s economic journey.
He added that government is working tirelessly to ensure that the business environment is conducive to attract both local and foreign investments.
ZANIS reports that President Hichilema was speaking at the Zambia-Japan Business Forum in Tokyo, Japan, where he emphasised the importance of deepening bilateral relations and exploring new opportunities in trade, renewable energy, healthcare, and education.
The Head of State assured the Japanese business firms of Zambia being a safe investment destination due to the peaceful, stable democratic system and rule of law, debt restructuring, safe investment climate, and central location to the outside market .
” My government seeks to focus on economic growth in 2025 and I assure the business sector of support by addressing rigidities that may hinder the progress of business processes,” President Hichilema said.
Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign, Eri Arfiya, acknowledged Zambia’s wealth endowment in many aspects, such as civilization, culture, history and rich mineral resources.
She hailed President Hichilema for his strategic private sector led economy as evidenced with his visit to Japan.
JETRO Chairman and CEO Norihiko Ishiguro reaffirmed his company’s commitment to supporting economic cooperation and investments between Zambia and Japan.
Mr Ishiguro also invited the Zambian business community to take part in Zambia’s National Day at the Osaka Kansai Expo in July and TICAD 9 in Yokohama in August, where a Business Expo and Conference will further promote business exchanges.
Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) President, Ashu Sagar encouraged the Japanese business community to take advantage of the government’s favourable policies of the numerous opportunities in many sectors of the economy and invest in the country.
Mr. Sagar explained that Japanese investment can enhance Zambia’s manufacturing sector by introducing financing models and transferring technical skills, fostering innovation and capacity development.
Zambia Development Agency Director General, Albert Halwampa outlined Zambia’s investment and trade opportunities and further urged the Japanese companies to invest in Zambia and have a larger market beyond the borders of Zambia.
The Zambia-Japan Business Forum was a significant event aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
It was organized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and ZDA , the forum provided a platform for high-level discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation.
The forum attracted over 100 Japanese and 30 Zambian companies with a focus on enhancing trade and investment.
The Zambia-Japan Business Forum was a significant event aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two nations and also creating linkages between local and foreign investors.
