ZAMBIA, UK SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT
LONDON, Friday, 5th November 2021- Minister for Africa, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Vicky Ford has said the UK will support the Zambian government’s return to a position of debt sustainability, so that the country can grow its economy, attract investors and create jobs.
And Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Stanley Kakubo and Minister Ford, on 4th November 2021, signed a Green Growth Impact framework for cooperation agreement at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London.
Minister Ford said the UK Government believes that Zambia’s strategically located position, history of good financial regulation and the skills of its people can allow it to become a future trader and investment hub for the wider Southern African region.
“In the week of the COP26, we re-enforced our commitment to green economic development, development that supports our climate ambitions and protects Zambia’s precious national assets, like its wildlife and forests. There are economic changes to overcome, the UK will support your government’s return to a position of debt sustainability, so that Zambia can grow its economy, attract investors and jobs,” she said.
The Minister further said, “We welcome the commitments that you have already made, to increase transparency and improve the operation of Government. And we recognize that you have also made moves within your first budget to improve the environment to both local and international investors and finally, this agreement reminds us of not leaving anybody behind. To ensure that every Zambian benefits from Zambia’s growth and economic development, we look forward to working closely with you and your government in the coming years towards an exciting future.”
And on signing the Green Growth Impact framework for cooperation agreement, Minister Ford said, “the agreement we are signing today symbolizes strengthening of our countries’ relationship and our commitment to trade and investment for sustainable and long-term economic development.”
And Hon. Kakubo said the joint initiative between the Zambian and UK governments signifies the long friendship between the two countries.
“The economic frontier is now in the new government and our position is to front economic diplomacy and we are looking forward to the UK to being our frontliner partners in all this. Economic recovery as you have stated is key to Zambia’s economics recovery program. We are looking for jobs as a major statistic in our economic development, and key to this, of course, is the trade and investment that will happen between your government and the Zambian Government,” he said.
Minister Kakubo said “Our two governments commit to work together to build a stronger, more diversified and inclusive Zambian economy that delivers economic opportunities for the majority, while delivering a stronger relationship and mutual economic benefits to Zambia and the UK.”
The Green Growth Impact framework represents a voluntary plan of action between the Government of Zambia and the United Kingdom to strengthen economic development and opportunities for both countries.
The Compact will support Zambia to follow a green development path to contribute to global ambition on emissions reduction whilst protecting Zambia’s own unique biodiversity and natural capital for the benefit of future generations.
Issued by: Abigail Chaponda (Mrs.)
First Secretary | Press and Public Relations
Zambia High Commission in the United Kingdom.
