US GOVERNMENT DELIGHTED WITH ZAMBIA’S ECONOMIC STRIDES
THE United States (US) government says it will continue to invest in Zambia because of the excellent democratic and economic renaissance taking place in the country.
U.S Ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales said transparency, accountability and impartial application of the rule of law is what has made the US government to continue investing in Zambia.
Mr Gonzales noted that the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms along with sustained actions to fight corruption all demonstrate that democracy delivers for the people.
He observed that the Zambian government has also made notable reforms to improve the business environment hence the investments in the country.
ZANIS reports that the US Ambassador was speaking today during a media conference held at the American Embassy in Lusaka.
“President Hakainde Hichilema is open for business and soon after he came into office, the Zambian government removed what was effectively a double taxation on mining and set a new target of exporting three million tons of copper annually within 10 years,” said Mr Gonzales.
Mr Gonzales pointed out that the United States hailed the mine tax reforms and in response, at the U.S Africa Leaders’ Summit that was held in December, a U.S company called KoBold Metals announced a US$150 million investment in the Mingamba mine located in the Copperbelt province.
The US Envoy said KoBold had already sunk three exploration holes and generated over 40 Zambian jobs within just a few months of closing the deal and added that next year more Zambians will be employed.
Mr Gonzales explained that Zambia represents Africa internationally and that this is evidenced by a number of senior level engagements that have visited that county.
He said the recent visit by the United States Vice
President Kamala Harris to Zambia and the co-hosting of the Summit for Democracy demonstrate good governance and the confidence that Zambia have given to the global world.
“In my 20 years plus career I have never seen such sustained senior high level U.S government engagements in any country compared to what I have seen here in Zambia. This is commendable and the government should continue on this path to serve the people diligently,” said Mr Gonzales.
Mr Gonzales has since encouraged the Zambian government to continue putting up good laws and reforms that will benefit the Zambia people and added that this will continue attracting investments globally. ZANIS