The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) met with a delegation from the office of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Government of Jiangxi Province in China. The delegation was accompanied by officials from the China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation.
The delegation was led by the Deputy Director General, Mr. Ma Jian, of the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, Jiangxi Province, and the Deputy Director General from the Office of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Li Yuqiany.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation Mr. Yuqiany expressed happiness that his delegation was visiting the ZDA in the wake of the recent visit by the Republican President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema to China. Mr. Yuqiany also revealed that a high number of Chinese investors had shown interest to invest in Zambia, most of whom he was delighted to say were from the Jiangxi province of China.
He said the delegation visit to the ZDA was threefold namely, to understand Zambia’s current investment environment; investigate the security situation in the country and to discuss enterprise establishment and operations in Zambia and operationalization of the Jiangxi Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZI) in Chibombo district.
In welcoming the delegation, ZDA Director General Mr. Albert Halwampa said Zambia’s State visit to China, which included a visit to Jiangxi province yielded positive results for the two countries.
“The visit to the province of Jiangxi resulted in many fruitful discussions and investment commitments amounting to over USD200.00 million.”
Mr. Halwampa observed that Jiangxi province excelled in the manufacturing of electric bikes and electric motor vehicles, which he noted was key considering Zambia’s intention to venture into manufacturing of Electric Batteries and Electric Vehicles (EV).
Mr. Halwampa informed the delegation that Zambia had abundant resources such as lithium deposits that could be explored for processing and establishing of an EV manufacturing plant.
He highlighted investments from Jiangxi Province in Zambia which included the Jiangxi MFEZ in Chibombo, Zambia’s largest MFEZ. He also informed the delegation that Government had provided for sector specific incentives, which are available on the ZDA’s website at http://www.zda.org.zm. This is with the expectation that once businesses are established investors will work with local people through job offers, out-grower schemes, joint ventures among other economic ventures.
The discussions also touched on the proposed introduction of a direct flight between China and Zambia.
“Due to the large population of Chinese nationals in Zambia particularly from the province of Jiangxi, and the projected investment flow to Zambia, a consideration must be made for a direct flight between Lusaka and Jiangxi province.” Mr. Yuqiany said.
Mr. Halwampa concluded by assuring the delegation of the ZDA’’s support and facilitation in their investments ventures both existing and new in Zambia.
