President Hakainde Hichilema has called for the quick implementation of agreements made between Zambia and Saudi Arabia following meetings and visits between the two countries.

President Hichilema said the economic growth achieved by the Saudi government through the use of their natural resources is admirable and Zambia could learn from them especially in natural and mineral resource management. 

Speaking this afternoon when a team from Saudi Arabia led by the country’s Undersecretary, Ministry of Mineral Resources Management Adulrahman Albalushi paid a courtesy call on him at State House, the Head of State added that the continued engagements between the two countries is a testament of the deepening relations between the two countries and hope for all interactions to culminate into business transactions.

ZANIS reports that the Presidents added that the country has been mining for a long time without realising full benefits from the minerals, saying that learning from countries that have achieved economic growth such as Saudi Arabia will help Zambia to improve her economy aswel.

And Leader of the visiting Saudi Arabia delegation, Undersecretary, Ministry of Mineral Resources Management Adulrahman Albalushi said his country plans on expanding its economic activities from the traditional oil extraction to other sectors such as mining and tourism as part of its vision 2030.

Mr Albalushi added that his country hopes to leverage on the experience that Zambia has in the mineral extractive industry, in order to achieve its diversification plans.

Earlier, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe explained that Zambia and Saudi Arabia has agreed to collaborate in the extractive industry and that the Memorandum of Understanding in mineral exploration which was signed between the two countries earlier this year is almost ready for implementation.