By Derrick Silimina
The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry have led a team of over 20 companies at the Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF) 2023 in Cairo Egypt.
ZDA Director General Albert Halwampa says under the auspices of the Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with a population of 1.3 billion and a gross domestic product GDP of US$3.4 trillion, IATF is providing a platform for business to business meetings, business to government meeting and business networking.
Halwampa stated that the event which is running from 9th to 15th November is offering eight vertical events and networking with over 35,000 visitors and more 1,600 exhibitors.
He has advised participating companies to take advantage of the opportunity by participating in all the lined up events including Trade Exhibitions, Trade and Investment Forum, Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX, B2B and B2G Platform, Country Days, IATF Virtual, Africa Automotive Show, Say Youth Start-Up Program and diaspora day.
“It is anticipated that US$43 billion worth of trade and investment deals will be sealed during the time of the trade fair and Zambia must get a fair share out these anticipated deals,” said Halwampa.
He added that ZDA is on the ground creating a favourable environment for the Zambian private sector to clinch deals and partnerships with their counterparts from all over the continent in various sectors. The private sector companies are coming from agro processing, financial services, energy and technology among others.
The Agency is facilitating meetings and networking opportunities with major African trade actors (B2B, B2C, and B2G) and political stakeholders ready to make a deal.
“ZDA is further marketing trade and investment opportunities to attract investments and facilitate trade and partnerships between Zambian and other investors for wealth and job creation,” he stated.
