…..the DBZ Chief concludes successful meetings in Slovenia
Ljubljana, 08.11.2018
Development Bank of Zambia, DBZ, Chief Executive Officer, Jacob Lushinga has identified three projects in the agro, solar and hydro generation sectors as the basis for potential cooperation involving the Slovenia Export and Investment Bank otherwise known as SID Banka and Slovenian companies.
Speaking in Slovenia following exploratory talks he held with SID Banka top management and an interaction he later held with the Slovenia Chamber of Commerce in the capital Ljubljana, Mr. Lushinga said the three projects signal the beginning of many more that could possibly follow.
“In the agro sector, we are going to focus our engagement on buttershea, a nut from which cosmetics are made and in the energy sector we intend to pursue both solar and hydro generation”, Mr. Lushinga said.
Declaring the meeting a success, the DBZ Chief said the discussions have clarified a number of issues, which now set the stage for future engagement. Mr. Lushinga was accompanied to the meeting by two DBZ senior officials Malama Mukonde and Alinaswe Siwinga.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany His Excellency Anthony Mukwita, who is also accredited to Slovenia on a non-residential basis, organized the meeting while Honorary Consul Damian Zonta organized the presentation to the Slovenia Chamber of Commerce and later an interaction with Slovenian companies interested in investing in Zambia.
“Since President Lungu adopted economic diplomacy, we are leaving no stone unturned in exploring every possible development opportunity in the host country Germany as well as countries of extra accreditation”, said Ambassador Mukwita adding, “we intend to line up a number of meetings for the Development Bank of Zambia”.
The Zambian senior diplomat is also accredited to Poland, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Each one of these countries present different opportunities for cooperation, which Ambassador Mukwita says he intends to explore with the help of the Development Bank of Zambia.
DBZ is mandated by law to provide finance to companies engaged in economic activities that are relevant to the development priorities set by the Zambian government. To undertake this function, the bank is expected among other things to mobilize resources from a variety of sources that also include other development banks such as the SID Banka of Slovenia.
SID Banka Slovenia, among other activities, funds Slovenian companies seeking to invest in any part of the world.
“This is where immediate opportunities lie for cooperation as there are several Slovenian companies ready to explore investment possibilities in Zambia”, observed Honorary Consul Zonta.