Zambia, Egypt want entrenched relationship
President Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia wants to entrench its bilateral relationship with Egypt, including through trade.
He said this when a delegation from Arab Contractors and Egypt’s Ambassador to Zambia Mayada Essam Abdel Rahman Mohamed paid a courtesy call on him at State House.
The President said Zambia and the Arab Republic of Egypt have a long-standing bilateral relationship dating back to 1965.
“Our two peoples have worked together in many areas, anchored on our strong bilateral relationship which is based on mutual respect, shared values and aspects around the importance of peace, security and stability in our individual countries, our regions, our continent and invariably the world.
“So we would like to embed our relationship,” President Hichilema said.
President Hichilema also acknowledged the leadership of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in the maintenance of peace, security and stability not only in the north African country but also in the region.
He said the two countries need to continue on the trajectory of economic partnerships on the backdrop of their old bilateral relationship.
“We want Arab Contractors to return here. We want to build on what our people have been doing together,” he said.
He further thanked President El-Sisi and the government of Egypt for supporting Zambia’s pharmaceutical field.
President Hichilema is elated that Arab Contractors, an Egyption firm that was established in 1955, has expertise in water and solid waste management and wants the company to engage into that in Zambia.
According to Zambia’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, there is facilitation for the setting up of an office for Arab Contractors in Zambia.
The Ministry, together with Arab Contractors, has thus far inspected the Mwinilunga – Jimbe road for a scoping mission, while inspection of Kalabo – Sikongo road is on the cards.
“We are involved in discussions which will lead to the signing of contracts for the mentioned road projects so that construction can start in earnest.
“The ministry and Arab Contractors have also agreed to collaborate in the field of housing,” said Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Charles Milupi.
Ms Essam said under President Hichilema’s leadership, Zambia is pursuing an ambitious economic transformation that aligns seamlessly with Egypt’s development priorities.
Arab Contractors chairman and chief executive officer El Assar said the firm is willing to showcase its engineering know-how in Zambia.
“We have a lot to do in Zambia.
“Along all these years, we have constructed more than 85 percent of road works in Egypt and 90 percent of water treatment and sewerage projects, 90 of electricity plants,” he said.
