Lusaka, Zambia – Zambia is prioritizing peace, security, and economic diplomacy to drive its national development, Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation, Ms. Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen, has said.
Gundersen made the remarks during the 2023-2024 Annual General Meeting and Economic Symposium organized by the Zambia Development Agency and the Association of Chinese Corporations in Zambia.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized the crucial role of peace and stability in fostering economic growth and social progress. She highlighted the importance of deepening economic diplomacy to harness Zambia’s vast economic potential through mutually beneficial partnerships.
Zambia and China, she noted, share a strong and growing bilateral relationship, exemplified by President Hakainde Hichilema’s state visit to China in 2023. The two nations elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership and launched the Zambia-China Year of Business Cooperation and Year of Tourism and Culture.
A series of agreements were signed during the visit, covering areas such as trade, investment, manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, mining, and agriculture.
Gundersen expressed optimism about the progress of the Belt and Road Initiative in Zambia, particularly in developing transportation networks and facilitating regional trade. She also commended China’s role in revitalizing the Tanzania-Zambia Railway and expressed hope for further collaboration on various projects.
China’s support for Zambia extends beyond economic cooperation. The country has been instrumental in Zambia’s debt restructuring, provided crucial assistance in combating COVID-19 and cholera, and offered support during the drought crisis.
The Permanent Secretary welcomed the designation of 2024 as the Year of Business Cooperation, viewing it as an opportunity to solidify the 60-year bilateral relationship. She encouraged Chinese companies to invest in Zambia’s growing economy, assuring them of the government’s support for strategic partnerships.
