Hichilema Urges Israeli Investment at State Banquet in Jerusalem.

President Hakainde Hichilema encouraged Israeli investors to consider taking up new enterprises in Zambia at a State banquet in Jerusalem, assuring that the Zambian economy is prepared to support and promote foreign investment.

President Hichilema is currently visiting Israel on a three-day state visit, after an invite from the Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The trip aims to strengthen the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

At a state banquet hosted by Herzog at the presidential residence in Jerusalem in honour of Hichilema and his delegation, the Zambian president urged for Israel to invest in his country.

“May I take this opportunity to invite Israeli investors to consider investing in Zambia because our country is politically stable and safe for foreign investors wishing to invest in Zambia,” Hichilema said.

He added that Zambia has peacefully transitioned to his government after the general elections in 2021, and since being in office, the economic and political state has stabilised.

Hichilema also said that Zambia was more keen on receiving agricultural investment, explaining that Israel’s specific technological advancements in agriculture would significantly benefit Zambia’s more traditional agricultural methods.

Herzog shared similar sentiments, commenting that Israel looks forward to increasing investment into Zambia.

Herzog confirmed that agricultural investment into Zambia would be rewarding, especially due to the growing global position of Zambia in terms of food.

He told the guests that “Zambia is slowly becoming a major hub for food security on the Continent of Africa”, and that the time for investing is now.

In a Facebook post, Hichilema reflected on his state visit, writing that “the bonds between our two countries are a solid foundation upon which to build stronger and deeper partnerships that result in sustainable economic development”.