…to commence economic collaboration with Zambia
31.01.20 Ljubljana
Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany H.E Anthony Mukwita has commenced high level economic diplomacy discussions with the head of the influential Centre for International Cooperation and Development of Slovenia Mr Klemen Potisek.
Ambassador Mukwita who is in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana met Mr Potisek on the side-lines of the annual business and diplomacy reception hosted by the President of Slovenia H.E Borut Pahor and the Prime Minister.
“We are interested in working with African nations, Sub Sahara in particular,” said Director Potisek when he paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Mukwita at Grand Union Hotel, “the areas that come to mind immediately for Zambia are energy, health and agriculture.”
Ambassador Mukwita told Mr Potisek that, “there is no other ideal country in southern Africa to target investment those areas (energy, health and agriculture) than Zambia right now.”
The envoy who is also accredited to Slovenia from his Berlin base said the ‘government to government’ cooperation Mr Potisek’s organisation is seeking could go a long way in reducing the power scarcity Zambia is experiencing and increase food production including job creation.
Ambassador Mukwita said President Edgar Lungu has repeatedly called for greater investment in the energy sector to plug about 800MW power deficit as a consequence of climate change.
“I will tell what I tell everybody every potential investment partner Mr Potisek,” said Ambassador Mukwita, “Zambia is the ideal investment destination especially on government to government investment or public sector financing.”
The Slovenian head of the CICD known by its Slovenian acronym CMSR told Ambassador Mukwita that he would soon travel to Zambia to meet relevant government ministries in order to escalate the discussion.
Yesterday’s groundbreaking meeting was organised through the office of the honorary consul of Zambia Mr Damian Zonta who last November with the help of the Zambian embassy took a business delegation of seven companies on a one-week trip to Zambia.
Mr Zonta has been a keen investment go between of Zambia and Slovenia.
The Zambian envoy also invited the Slovenian team under honorary consul Zonta to visit Zambia again and attend the widely famed and followed Agritech fare in Chisamba.
The President of Zambia always attends the Agritech show in Chisamba that attracts hundreds of agriculture investors from abroad, including Slovenia and Germany.
This is according to a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian mission in Berlin Kellys Kaunda.
CAPTION: Center for International Cooperation Managing Director Mr Klemen Potisek captured with Ambassador Anthony Mukwita at the grand Union Business Hotel in Berlin. Picture courtesy of the embassy of Zambia in Germany.