On September 21st, the Chinese Embassy in Zambia and the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry ( MCTI ) held the joint media briefing for the China-Zambia Trade and Investment Forum at the New Government Complex. Ambassador Du Xiaohui and Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Hon. Elias Mubanga ( acting minister of the MTCI ) and other representatives attended and made remarks. 

Ambassador Du declared that to implement the outcomes of the phone conversation of two heads of state, on September 28th, the China-Zambia Trade and Investment Forum will be held at the China-Aided Kenneth Kaunda Wing, Mulungushi International Conference Center. The Forum will be co-hosted by the Embassy and the MCTI, sponsored by Zambia Development Agency ( ZDA ), China Non Ferrous Company ( CNMC ) and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. The theme of the Forum is China-Zambia Trade and Investment in New Era: “All-weather, All-dimensional, High-quality”. The Forum will set 3 following records: the largest in scale, the broadest in coverage, and the most fruitful outcomes. After the opening ceremony, 5 parallel forums will be held with the themes of China-Zambia Trade and Investment Cooperation in the New Era; Promoting Belt and Road Cooperation for China-Zambia Connectivity; Empowering the Development of China-Zambia Mining Industry; Exploring China-Zambia Cooperation in the Fields of Emerging Industries and Enhancing China-Zambia Agricultural Cooperation. The parallel forums will be perfect platforms for the discussion of China-Zambia practical cooperation. Till now, more than 300 Chinese and Zambian enterprises have officially signed up for the forum, more than 50 domestic Chinese companies will participate online. People from China and Zambia could positively take part in the Forum to find business opportunities among China-Zambia trade and investment cooperation, promoting the benefits of the two peoples.

Minister Mubanga said that China is always All-Weather partner of Zambia, and appreciated China’s long-term precious support to Zambia’s economic development. The Zambia-China Cooperation Zone ( ZCCZ ) has contributed to Zambia’s job creation and economic transformation. Chinese investment brings advanced management, transfers technologies, enhances the sustainable development of Zambia. The Forum is an important milestone of the two countries’ trade cooperation. The two countries’ business community could make full and good use of the perfect platform, attracting more Chinese investment for Zambia.

Mr. John Mulongoti, Permanent Secretary of the MCTI, Ms. Jessica Chombo, representative of ZDA, Mr. Luo Xingeng, Assistant to the General Manger of CNMC, Mr. Meng Hao, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy, and Mr. Liu Guoyu, Counsellor of the Embassy joined the briefing. Nearly 80 journalists from more than 20 media houses, including ZANIS, ZNBC, Daily Mail, and Times of Zambia participated the briefing.