President Hakainde Hichilema recently hosted a delegation from the Wonderful Group Company, led by Board Chairperson Mr. Gilbert Temba, at State House for a discussion focused on fostering economic growth, job creation, and enhancing collaboration between local businesses and the government.
During the meeting, President Hichilema emphasized the importance of unity and collective effort in driving the nation’s development. “To drive economic growth and create jobs and business opportunities, we must all pull in one direction,” he stated, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the private sector, government, and local businesses. The President expressed his satisfaction with the positive response to the government’s policies, which have helped attract increasing investment from local companies.
The conversation also addressed Zambia’s progress in managing its debt crisis. President Hichilema shared that the successful debt restructuring efforts have significantly alleviated the financial strain on the country, creating a more stable environment for business growth. “Having restructured the debt and stabilized the economy, we are now in a hurry to grow the country’s economy,” he said, signaling that Zambia is ready for an era of accelerated growth.
The President further encouraged local businesses to take an active role in the country’s economic transformation by partnering with the government to create opportunities for all Zambians. He also called for government agencies to adopt an open-door policy that fosters transparency and collaboration.
“This is a clarion call for unity. Let us work together to overcome our challenges and achieve shared prosperity,” he concluded.
The meeting is a testament to the government’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the private sector to build a more resilient and inclusive economy. However, some critics argue that addressing Zambia’s persistent energy crisis should be a priority to ensure that these economic gains can be fully realized.
Public Reaction
While the President’s remarks were met with optimism from some, others expressed concerns about the ongoing energy shortages affecting the economy.
“Energy… energy… energy should have been the headline of the meeting. The crippling blackouts are threatening every iota of the economy. No power, no economy mwebantu,” said a comment from Mayo Mpapa, highlighting the growing frustration over power outages.
Despite this, many see the government’s initiatives as a step in the right direction towards building a stronger, more diversified economy. The ongoing discussions and collaborations between the government and local businesses indicate a potential for growth, but only time will tell if these efforts will yield tangible results for all Zambians.
