Zambia and the State of Qatar have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on trade, investment, and tourism. The agreement followed a meeting between Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, S.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and His Excellency Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the United Nations Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) in Doha. Both Ministers explored opportunities to enhance collaboration in key sectors and agreed on the need to establish formal mechanisms for cooperation.
Hon. Haimbe emphasized Zambia’s commitment to fostering partnerships with like-minded nations. He highlighted Zambia’s favorable investment climate, citing peace, security, stability, and a supportive taxation framework as factors that promote sustainable business growth. The Minister also noted tourism as a critical sector for encouraging cultural exchange and people-to-people connections between the two countries. He invited Qatar to explore the numerous business opportunities available in Zambia.
The Minister further commended Qatar for its leadership in promoting peace and security globally. He reaffirmed Zambia’s willingness to collaborate on shared international development goals and stressed the importance of strong diplomatic engagement. The meeting served as a platform to align priorities and identify areas where both nations can benefit from mutual support.
In response, His Excellency Al-Muraikhi expressed Qatar’s readiness to enhance cooperation with African countries, including Zambia. He highlighted the importance of establishing clear frameworks for government-to-government engagement to strengthen trade and investment ties. Both Ministers agreed to continue consultations aimed at formalizing cooperation mechanisms that will advance economic and diplomatic relations.
Following the discussions, Hon. Haimbe held a bilateral meeting with Her Excellency Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation of Qatar. The meeting focused on additional avenues for collaboration between the two countries. These engagements reflect Zambia’s ongoing strategy to expand international partnerships, attract investment, and support economic growth. They also underscore the country’s commitment to strengthening regional and global cooperation.