Zambia President Hichilema's Visit to Israel Should Translate into Meaningful Investments Says Israeli Ambassador

STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC, 15th August 2023 - Israeli Ambassador to the United States of America Michael Herzog says the recent visit of President Hakainde Hichilema to Israel should translate into meaningful investments.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call courtesy on Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States Chibamba Kanyama in Washington, D.C., Mr. Herzog said he had been instructed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog to make follow ups on issues agreed when the two Presidents met for purposes of actualizing them.

“I have come here to pay a courtesy call on you Ambassador following the State visit which President Hakainde Hichilema undertook to Israel. Our President has instructed that we make a follow up to actualize the bilateral corporations,” said Mr. Herzog who bears the same name as the Israeli President.

He said he was happy that the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) was part of the delegation that met different Israeli companies for investment opportunities in Zambia.

“The idea should be actualized projects. We need to establish a mechanism to move forward. We have possible areas of cooperation in technology, stopping malaria, solar farms, water technology, Irrigation. These are some of the key sectors that Israeli companies can invest in,” said Mr. Herzog.

He said Israel’s technological advancements in agriculture would significantly benefit Zambia’s more traditional agricultural methods.

Mr. Herzog said Israel was eager to strengthen relations in all sectors as well as build connections between the people of Zambia and Israel.

Mr. Herzog said President Hichilema’s visit to Israel symbolized a commitment to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Zambia and Israel in various sectors.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kanyama said there was a lot in common between Zambia and Israel. He said the best way of actualising the commitments made in Israel was by setting up a joint technical team between the two Embassies to put together a programme of action.

“We are highly honored by this visit to the Embassy. A lot of Zambians love Israel, and many want to have a healthy relationship between the two countries. Actualizing the 800 million United States Dollars worth of investment pledges to Zambia by Israeli companies will require us to meet often and agree of tangible actions,” Mr. Kanyama said.

Early this month President Hakainde Hichilema took a three-day state visit, after an invite from the Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The aim of the visit was to strengthen the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

President Hakainde Hichilema encouraged Israeli investors to consider taking up new enterprises in Zambia at a State banquet in Jerusalem, assuring that the Zambian economy is prepared to support and promote foreign investment.

Israeli companies are active in Zambia in agriculture, water management, information technology, health, communications, defense, among other sectors.

Issued by
Charles Tembo
First Secretary Press and Public Relations
Embassy of Zambia
Washington, DC
Ctembo@zambiaembassy.org