Indian President jets in

INDIAN President Ram Nath Kovind is today expected in Zambia for a two-day working visit. He would also hold talks with his host, President Edgar Lungu.

Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji disclosed the development at a press briefing yesterday.

Mr Malanji noted that Zambia has enjoyed excellent relations and cooperation with India with support accorded to the country on a bilateral level as well as under framework of the IndiaAfrica Forum summit in energy, health, agriculture and capacity building among others.

“Private investment in Zambia by Indian companies currently stands at over US$5 billion, notably in sectors of mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

“In addition, there has been a steady increase in bilateral trade which stood at US$1.2 billion from April 2017 to January 2018,” Mr Malanji said.

The Minister said India was an important and strategic partner in the quest of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to deliver development to the Zambian people as articulated in the Seventh National Development Plan.

And Mr Malanji has revealed that during the visit, the two leaders would hold bilateral talks and witness the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding between Zambia and India.

He said the two leaders would also participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Lusaka City Roads Decongestion Project which would be implemented with the support from the Indian Government.

Mr Malanji added that a Zambia- India Business Forum would be held on the margins of the State visit that was aimed at fostering trade and investment linkages between the private sectors of the two countries.