DRC A Huge Market For Zambia - Hichilema

President Hakainde Hichilema has said the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is an untapped resource that holds huge potential for the growth of Zambian businesses. He urged Zambian farmers and manufacturers to increase their production as they ready themselves to export to the DRC.

During a press conference at State House yesterday President Hichilema spoke about his fruitful meeting with DRC president Felic Tshisekedi on the side-lines of the 2021 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last week. 

HH told the press that he and Mr Tshisekedi discussed the future economic relationship between the two countries and spoke about how they could improve relations between their people.

“I met my brother President of DRC Tshisekedi and we dedicated ourselves to focus on trade and investment,” he said.

President Hichilema told journalists that Zambia will begin to export more goods to DRC that she consumes locally.

However, the President stressed that Zambian’s need to change their perception of the DRC stating “the Congolese are our clients and not smugglers and President Tshisekedi sees it the same way” 

“We also discussed the importance of keeping peace and security along our borders of Zambia and DRC and not living as adversaries,” he also said. 

President Hichilema said he was pleased that he had discussions with Mr. Tshisekedi and is hopeful that this relationship will help the Zambian economy to grow.