President Hakainde Hichilema has called on Israeli investors to consider investing in Zambia.
And Israeli President Isaac Herzog said it was high time the Jewish nation boosted its trade and business footprint in Zambia.
The two leaders shared their vision to expand trade ties during a State banquet at the Presidential palace in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening, hosted in honour of President Hichilema joined by First Lady Mutinta, during a three-day State visit.
And President Hichilema held a closed door meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During the Statedinner, Mr Hichilema said Zambia had a conducive business environment to support and promote foreign investment.
He said Zambia was politically stable and safe for foreigners wishing to establish their business in the Central African country.
Mr Hichilema said Zambia has had peaceful transitions after general elections and he was currently the seventh Head of State.
“May I take this opportunity to invite Israeli investors to consider investing in Zambia because our country is politically stable and safe for foreign investors wishing to invest in Zambia,” he said.
The President said Zambia was keen on seeing agricultural investment especially that Israel was technologically advanced in the agriculture performance.
In his message, President Herzog said it was important that trade relations were bolstered with Zambia especially that the southern African nation was slowly becoming a major hub in food security around the African continent.
“Zambia is slowly becoming a major hub for food security on the continent of Africa,” President Herzog said.
He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to continue working with Zambia.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema has hailed the Jewish forefathers for the vision and commitment they had which resulted in the establishment of the State of Israel.
Mr Hichilema said this when he visited the burial site of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism.
He said the Jewish forefathers had a vision that one day they would reunite and establish the State of Israel.
He said in life it was important to have a dream and a vision adding that this should be supported with action.
“Our Jewish forefathers had a dream and vision that one day they will be reunited and establish the State of Israel and here we are today having th great State of Israel,” I Hichilema said.
The President also visited Yad Vashem, which commemorates Holocaust, located on west of Mount Herzl in West Jerusalem and la wreath before proceed to another museum for million children who during the period of the Holocaust.
And welcoming we are today having this great State of Israel,” Mr Hichilema said. The President also visited Yad Vashem, which commemorates the Holocaust, located on the west of Mount Herzl in West Jerusalem and laid a wreath before proceeding to another museum for 1.5 million children who died during the period of the Holocaust.
And welcoming President Hichilema at his official residence before going into a closed door meeting, Mr Netanyahu said he was happy to receive him in Israel.
Mr Netanyahu said Israel was now going to Africa and Africa was coming to Israel. “We are happy to receive you here and I want to say that Israel is now going to Africa and Africa is now coming to Israel,” Mr Netanyahu said.
He said his country was committed to strengthen the bilateral relationship that exists between Israel and Zambia.
And President Hichilema said he was grateful with the manner he and his delegation had been received in Israel. He said he was also happy with the hospitality of the people of Israel.
“Your Excellency, we are happy with the warm reception we got here and the hospitality we have received from the Israeli people,” he said. – ZANIS
