LUSAKA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Zambia and Egypt on Thursday held bilateral talks aimed at strengthening partnership between the private sectors of the two countries.
During bilateral talks held between Zambia's Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Christopher Yaluma and his Egyptian counterpart Amr Nassar, the two countries stressed the need to cooperate in the private sector as part of efforts to boost Africa's industrialization.
The Zambian minister said Zambia was eager to take into Egypt's expertise in industrialization as part of efforts to boost value addition to its raw materials.
The Zambian minister, during talks held on the sidelines of the 20th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), said the two countries have had warm bilateral ties and that it was time to enhance the ties through incorporating the private sector.
He urged Egyptian businesses to consider entering into partnership with their Zambian counterparts, adding that the government was offering incentives for companies that were willing to invest in multifacility zones that have been established in various parts of the country.
On his part, the Egyptian minister said his government was ready to offer its technical and financial support to boost the growth of the private sector in Zambia.
He said Egyptian firms were eager to enter into joint ventures with their Zambian counterparts in various sectors of the economy.
"Egypt has the expertise in industries and we would like to share this with Zambia and we want this partnership to be driven by the private sector," he said.
