President Lungu invites Swedish Investors

————President Edgar Lungu has asked Sweden to consider sending a trade delegation to Zambia to explore investment opportunities in the country.

And Mr. Lungu has implored the Swedish government to render more assistance to Zambia’s health sector.

Mr. Lungu said this when Swedish Prime Minister, Stefan Lofven paid a courtesy call on him at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa today.

He said Zambia has huge investment potential in mining, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism sectors.

President Lungu said there was need to invest in value addition to minerals such as copper which are found in Zambia.

He pointed out that adding value to copper would enable the country benefit more from its mineral resources.

Mr. Lungu said Swedish investors can form partnerships with local investors to invest in various areas of the economy adding that Zambia has a friendly investment environment.

He said that Zambia believes in dialoguing with investors when a concern arises over operations and profitability of investment.

And President Lungu has said there was need to improve the health sector in the country in order to mitigate the sufferings which Zambian people, especially women go through.

Mr. Lungu said women in Zambia walk long distances to health institutions for medical services.

The President however, said Zambia appreciates the assistance in the health sector which Sweden has been rendering for many years.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lofven disclosed that Sweden’s Minister of Health will visit Zambia in March this year for a fact finding mission.

He said his country and Zambia have long bilateral relations which can further be improved upon.

In another development, President Lungu held a meeting with the Japanese Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Takashi Uto at the same AU headquarters on the side-lines of the on-going summit.

Mr. Lungu said Zambia cherishes the friendship she has been enjoying with Japan since 1964.

He said Japan has invested in Zambia’s energy, education, sanitation and water sectors and called for more investment from Japan.

President Lungu said government was in a hurry to improve the economy hence the need for more foreign investment in the country.   

And Mr. Uto noted that the peaceful manner in which Zambia conducted the recent presidential by-election will contribute to the growth of democracy in the country.

He said Zambia and Japan have been enjoying cordial relations and cooperation for a long time.

Meanwhile, President Lungu also held private talks with the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir.