By NATION REPORTER
ZAMBIA is ripe to work with investors to add value to its raw materials, critical minerals and create opportunities and jobs for its young people through joint ventures that would deliver value and opportunities for all, President Hakainde Hichilema has said.
President Hichilema has reiterated the UPND government’s desire to actualise Zambia’s resource endowment and investment opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, energy, among others.
Speaking at the UK Parliament’s Critical Minerals Association at the Parliament, in the United Kingdom, Mr Hichilema emphased the need to accelerate the implementation of investment projects for the benefit of Zambians.
President Hichilema said it was important that Zambia and foreign investors should invest together in critical minerals in light of the climate change transition and the new age of electrical motor vehicles.
The UK Parliament’s Critical Minerals Association which hosted President Hichilema was led by Baroness Lindsay Northover, the Chair of UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Critical Minerals. “It is our desire to actualise our country’s resource endowment and investment opportunities in agriculture, mining, tourism, energy, among others and the need to accelerate the implementation of projects for the benefit of our citizens,” President Hichilema said.
He said Zambia’s strength was in the peaceful and stable political system which provided a positive and investor-friendly environment that guaranteed security and legislated rights to full market-value compensation.
The event was attended by Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State for Development and Africa, Laurence Robertson MP, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Zambia and Chair of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Zambia and Mr Jeff Townsend, CEO Critical Minerals Association UK. Others in attendance were members of the UK Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet from both Houses (Lords and Commons) as well as major UK mining firms and investors.
