Hichilema Receives Invite For Saudi-African Summit.
Yesterday, President Hakainde Hichilema warmly welcomed the special envoy of His Majesty Salman bin Abdulaziz, the King of Saudi Arabia, at State House. The two leaders engaged in a meeting where President Hichilema expressed Zambia's enthusiasm to embark on a fresh phase of collaboration with Saudi Arabia.
As a demonstration of the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, Mr. Kattan delivered a special message from His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. The message, conveying optimism for cooperation, signals the start of increased collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Zambia.
President Hichilema has emphasised Zambia's eagerness to establish beneficial partnerships with Saudi Arabia spanning a range of vital sectors, including but not limited to agriculture, energy, health, and education.
The President seized the occasion to express Zambia's profound gratitude for Saudi Arabia's continuing initiatives within the country. Among these initiatives is the King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, a multi-million-dollar project presently being constructed in Lusaka. President Hichilema conveyed his appreciation for this substantial contribution to Zambia's healthcare infrastructure.
Additionally, President Hichilema underscored the importance of swift action in implementing bilateral agreements between Zambia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the necessity of deepening cooperation between the nations and called for the accelerated completion of the specialist women and children’s hospital. Hichilema expressed his faith that this facility will have a profoundly positive impact on Zambia’s healthcare sector, marking a substantial step forward.
Furthermore, President Hichilema encouraged both nations to explore sectors of collaboration in green energy, mechanical agriculture, and petroleum production. These industries have incredible potentials to boost economic growth and promote technological developments, providing mutual benefits for Saudi Arabia and Zambia.
After the meeting concluded, President Hichilema restated Zambia’s dedication to cultivating productive partnerships with Saudi Arabia. The upcoming Saudi-African summit will be held in November 2023.