PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has asked members of the Diplomatic Corps to help in marketing Zambia’s investment potential.

President Hichilema says Zambia is yearning for increased investment in the agriculture, energy and mining sectors adding that the country requires additional trade and investment in order to grow the economy.

President Hichilema however thanked the diplomatic community for supporting Zambia in resuscitating the mining sector. 

He indicated that when his administration took office he found the mining sector defunct.

ZANIS reports that President Hichilema said this today during the Presidential Annual Greeting of members of the Diplomatic Corps held in Lusaka. 

The Head of State said copper production had gone down in the country hence the decision by the government to prioritise the revival of the mining industry.

President Hichilema stated that his administration remains indebted to countries that have supported the government’s agenda of restoring the mining sector. 

The Head of State said he is largely confident that the mining sector has been restored following the huge investment injected in the sector. 

President Hichilema indicated that some mines were closed for 46 years but now they have been opened and are operational.

He cited Kalengwa Mine as one of the mines that had closed for over 40 years. 

The Head of State said he was grateful to the investors who have injected investments in the mining industry. 

He also cited the Mingomba Mine as one of the projects that the government is excited about.

The President disclosed that Two Million United States Dollars is going into the operations of Mingomba Mine on the Copperbelt Province.

He said Mingomba Mine is protected to be one of the biggest copper mines once fully operational.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema added that the government has proceeded with the exploration of geophysical mapping.

He stated that the results coming from the mineral mapping are exciting.

President Hichilema said the government will ensure that all the resources endowment will be managed prudently.

The Head of State further thanked the diplomatic community and the international cooperating partners who played a pivotal role in the debt restructuring agreement deal. 

And commenting on debt restructuring, President Hichilema thanked all the diplomats who played a pivotal role in ensuring that the country reaches a debt restructuring agreement.

He said the government remains indebted to all countries that rendered their support to the debt restructuring agreement deal.

President Hichilema however, noted that more still needs to be done in order for the debt restructuring agreement to be put to bed. 

“There are still residual issues to be done. I did ask my Minister of Finance and National Planning to ensure that we check those residual issues, so that we can put to bed matters that are standing along,” he said.

President Hichilema also thanked the international community and countries that came to the aid of the country during last year’s drought. 

He said the drought had a negative effect on the economy, especially the energy sector. 

President Hichilema said the drought posed a huge challenge on food security at household and national level. 

And speaking earlier at the same event, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe said the Presidential Annual Greeting of members of the Diplomatic Corps is an important event on the diplomatic calendar.

Mr Haimbe noted that the event accords the Head of State an opportunity to appreciate diplomats for the cooperation and support rendered to Zambia in the previous year.

“This is an important occasion in the Diplomatic Calendar for Zambia, which affords us the opportunity to express our profound gratitude to your Excellences, for your support and cooperation, which your respective countries have continued to render to Zambia. The support and cooperation extended is truly appreciated,” he said.

Meanwhile, In passing a vote of thanks on behalf of other diplomats, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Walid Hasan and Ambassador of Palestine, praised President Hichilema for demonstrating exceptional leadership in the face of economic challenges induced by the drought.