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Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mulambo Haimbe, told the United Kingdom that the country has moved from a difficult debt position to a more positive economic outlook supported by stronger fundamentals.
This is according to a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday.
Haimbe also reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to democracy and human rights, saying the government would continue “taking bold steps” and “walking the talk” on its democratic principles.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Chris Elmore, the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for the Commonwealth, at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Friday.
Haimbe is in London to attend the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) meeting, which began on Sunday, and the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) scheduled for Monday. He will also take part in Commonwealth Day activities.
Zambia currently serves as Vice-Chair of CMAG, the Commonwealth mechanism mandated to uphold the organisation’s core political values, including democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
The two ministers discussed issues of mutual interest including multilateralism, peace and security, reforms within the Commonwealth, democracy and investment.
“The government was intent on moving away from a “business-as-usual” approach and adopting more practical, hands-on, and outcome-based partnerships,” Haimbe said.
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Highlighting Zambia’s investment agenda, Haimbe said the government was focusing on expanding private sector participation in sectors such as mining, energy and tourism.
“That’s the real focus right now. I think you have also noticed that we have moved the country from a very difficult situation—being debt-ridden—to a positive economic outlook with strong fundamentals,” he said.
Haimbe also reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to attracting investment and technical support across sectors, while continuing its anti-corruption efforts.
He expressed appreciation for the UK government’s £2.5 billion Green Compact support to Zambia and for ongoing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
“The ongoing crisis in the Gulf region could lead to rising costs of consumables and petroleum products,” Haimbe added.
Elmore welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to holding free and fair elections in Zambia, saying this was important to the United Kingdom’s efforts to promote democracy.
He also said the UK was ready to continue working with Zambia on transparency, multilateralism, democracy and human rights, noting the country had been receiving “incredibly positive” feedback in those areas.
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