DUTCH MARKET OPEN FOR ZAMBIA
NETHERLANDS has called for increased copperation and strengthening of bilateral relations with Zambia, especially in priority sectors.
King of the Netherlands, Willem- Alexander Claus George Ferdinand, said that his government was keen to continue collaborating with Zambia in priority sectors as well as areas of mutual benefit.
The King said Zambia and Netherlands had over the years enjoyed cordial relations which had culminated into various business activities at various levels.
He said this at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, shortly after receiving letters of Credence from Zambia’s Ambassador to Belgium and Plenipotentiary to the Netherlands, Esther Munalula Nkandu.
And Professor Nkandu appealed to King Willem- Alexander and the Netherlands government to consider extending cooperation with Zambia in the energy, agricultural and education sectors. The Ambassador explained to the King that Zambia needed cooperating partners in solar and renewable energy in order to cushion the power deficit that the country was currently facing. Prof. Nkandu said that the dependence on hydro power supply was no longer sustainable because of the harsh effects of climate change. “We have a few Dutch organisations present in Zambia, and the encouragement is that as they continue to expand they will engage more Zambians,” she said. She said the focus for Zambia was on skills development and value addition with regards to agricultural produce in order to penetrate the Dutch market. Prof. Nkandu said she remained optimistic of a good relationship between the two governments as they work together towards achieving goals and objectives of mutual benefit. This was according to a statement issued by First Secretary at the Zambian Embassy in Brussels, Belgium Phyllis Chilekwa.