The New Dawn government has promised to fully implement initiatives with the potential to contribute to the growth of the Zambian economy, Minister of Commerce, Trade, and Industry Chipoka Mulenga has said.
The minister says the government is committed to actualizing the country’s economic potential through mutual understandings and partnerships.
Mulenga was speaking at the celebrations for Zambia’s recently signed agreement to join the Canada/Africa Chamber of Business, an independent and non-profit organization with strong working links for both Canadian and African businesses and governments.
“We look forward to learning from you and for you from ourselves. It is only through mutual benefit and mutual success where there will be mutual respect. My country is committed to doing business with yourselves,” Mr. Mulenga said.
Mulenga said the New Dawn government will not waste time participating in programs that will benefit the country.
“We look forward to learning from your technology and let me also be mischievous a bit, Canada has grown to the heights and lengths that it has because of working in a structured way.
He continued, “Good policies are good policies. My government has decided that it will not compromise on implementing something that is good. It may not bring immediate benefits but it will transcend into a resilient economy going forward,” he said.
Meanwhile, Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Oliphant, said his country and Zambia continue to share a sustainable and all-embracing understanding that has produced positive results over the years.
“Zambia and Canada are very much on each other’s radar. It is because we share more than business interest, we share core values. We are democracies, we are Commonwealth siblings. We share an understanding of the rule of law and the importance of peace going hand in hand with prosperity,” Oliphant said.
Oliphant also reiterated the two countries’ commitment to creating favorable business environments while also maintaining the values of good governance and democracy.
“We relish making not only our own countries better but the world a better and safer place. That is what Zambia stands for. We want you to continue in your patency of good governance, of extending rights to all your citizens, and making this country the best place to do business in the world,” he said.
At the same event, Oliphant also disclosed that the trade between Zambia and Canada has increased to US$11.5 million over the past five years.
