ZAMBIA’S “INVESTMENT PROMOTION AMBASSADORS” ARRIVE IN DAVOS-SWITZERLAND FOR THE 2024 WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF) ANNUAL MEETING

A high-level Zambian team has arrived in Davos, Switzerland, for the 2024 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, which commences tomorrow Monday 15th January, 2024, and ends on Friday 19th January, 2024.

Finance and National Planning Minister Dr SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE, MP, is leading the Zambian delegation on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema. Others in the team are Commerce Trade and Industry Minister CHIPOKA MULENGA, MP, State House Principal Private Secretary BRADFORD MACHILA, Special Assistant to the President (Economic Affairs) Dr PAMELA NAKAMBA, Special Assistant to the President (Investment & Finance) JITO KAYUMBA, Ministry of Finance and National Planning Permanent Secretary (Economic Management and Finance) DANIES CHISENDA, Ministry of Commerce Trade & Industry Permanent Secretary (Investment & Industrialisation) JOHN MULONGOTI. The team also comprises representatives from the private sector and the Zambia Development Agency.

Dr MUSOKOTWANE and team were received on arrival in Zurich by Zambia’s Ambassador to Switzerland EUNICE LUAMBIA before embarking on a two-hour drive to the resort city of Davos where some of the world’s most powerful firms and richest persons have gathered to explore global investment prospects in 2024, and beyond. In response to the Ambassadors welcome remarks, Dr Musokotwane said the delegation was in Switzerland as investment promotion ambassadors for the country.

“Our Government’s mission to ensure debt sustainability and set a smooth platform for economic transformation through multi-dimensional support for businesses – is very clear about the role of both local and foreign investments in creating jobs, wealth for the nation, and better lives for citizens. The WEF in Davos is one of the biggest gatherings for investors and investment promoters such as Zambia. We are seeking the best outcomes for our people,” Dr Musokotwane, said.

We are here to make diligent efforts to attract the best available global investment prospects in the green economy, mining, agriculture, tourism, value-addition, human development, and other growth boosting ventures, to our beloved country, Zambia, the Minister said. With an emphatic aura as he addressed the delegation and the support team from the Zambian Embassy in Switzerland, Dr Musokotwane said the mission to Davos was “to get a piece of the investors pie, for the benefit of our economy.”

During the tour of duty, the delegation will attend scheduled meetings of the World Economic Forum, hold bilateral meetings with representatives of development partners like China, France, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Qatar, and United States of America.

The delegation will also hold meetings and dialogues with numerous private-sector and other cross-cutting organisations from around the world.

Among the highlights of the delegation will be some special purpose panel discussions such as:

1. Ministerial Trade for Development Dialogue: The session will provide a unique platform for current and potential cooperating partners and private sector players to come together, exchange insights, and collectively envision the future of global trade facilitation.

2. The World in Numbers Discussion Panel on Jobs: Global economic turbulences, technological trends, and the green transition momentum has a toll job creation, worldwide. During this session, panelists will delve into the trends defining the future of jobs and explore optimal policy, employer and stakeholder responses. The Zambian delegation has a keen interest in seeing how global initiatives will facilitate the domestic agenda for job creation and economic transformation.

3. Driving Action Under the Continental Free Trade Area: The Friends of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Coalition will bring together Heads of State, Ministers, Chief Executives and Heads of International Organizations to support the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement through public-private collaboration.

4. Tax in Motion: The event will focus on the impact of adequate tax systems in supporting public goods and ensuring that governments run effectively on domestic resources.

5. Strategy Session: Round Table on Trade, Climate and Finance: Ministers from the coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate will meet with finance and environment ministers and international organization leaders to discuss the need to break down siloes and identify priorities for cooperation to accelerate climate action.

6. Pathways to Competitiveness in the New Industrial Policy Age: The session brings together private sector, government, academic and civil society leaders to discuss concrete proposals for strengthening public-private cooperation to accelerate the responsible transformation of global manufacturing systems and country-level readiness.

7. Facilitating Trade through Tech: Effectively deploying technology can be an impactful approach to facilitating, securing and boosting trade, particularly in developing countries as a tool for economic growth. In the course of the week, the delegation will also feature live on international television stations such as CNBC and the Chinese Global and Television Network (CGTN).

President Hichilema has christened 2024 as a year for not only further unlocking Zambia’s economic potential but also a year for elevating the actualization of investments by citizens and through foreign direct investment. A platform like the World Economic Forum provides an opportunity for the Government to engage prospective investors in a constructive manner targeted at outcomes that will lead to establishment of competitive businesses, job opportunities for citizens, and raising the profile of the country as one of Africa’s most preferred destinations for stable investment in all economic sectors.

The 2024 WEF Annual Meeting will welcome over 100 Governments from around the world, numerous major international organizations, the Forum’s 1, 000 partner companies, civil society leaders, multi-sectoral experts, the youth, social entrepreneurs, and the media.

The 2024 WEF Annual Meeting will welcome over 100 Governments from around the world, numerous major international organizations, the Forum’s 1, 000 partner companies, civil society leaders, multi-sectoral experts, the youth, social entrepreneurs, and the media. ***ENDS***

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