Zambian president calls for more intra-Africa trade

LUSAKA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Monday stressed the need for African countries to Trade more with each other before looking to the outside world.

He made the remarks while meeting with a visiting delegation from the Federation of Egyptian Industries that is in the country to explore investment opportunities.

The Zambian leader said visits by African business delegations need to be encouraged in Africa's quest to Trade more within the continent.

Zambia, he said, is open for investment not only from within Africa, but also from outside, adding that the fact that the country has continued to receive potential investors from within the continent is impressive.

It is important for countries lagging behind in industrialization to look for partnerships with other countries on the continent that have become more industrialized, for example Egypt, Lungu added.

Ahmed Mustafa, Egyptian ambassador to Zambia, said the 35-member business delegation was in Zambia to explore business opportunities aimed at increasing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

He said the Egyptian government decided to send the large business delegation to Zambia because of the country's investment potential.

The delegation will be in Zambia till Wednesday. The delegation comprising more than 15 companies in various industries will hold a number of meetings with local businesses and with Zambian government officials, he said.

The delegation is also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) after holding a business-to-business forum.