Prez Kovind joins hands with Zambia, aiming to flourish new prospects of development

NewsBharati    12-Apr-2018
Total Views |

Lusaka, April 12: Arriving at the last leg of the African tour, President Ram Nath Kovind visited Zambia having a "meaningful and wide-ranging discussions" with his Zambian counterpart. India and Zambia on Wednesday signed four agreements including on double taxation avoidance and judicial cooperation as President Ram Nath Kovind held delegation-level talks with his Zambian counterpart Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

Exchanging views on bilateral and global issues, President Kovind expressed appreciation for Zambia for having signed the International Solar Alliance agreement. He also mentioned that he is looking forward for an early ratification of the agreement from the Zambian side.

The two sides signed four agreements pertaining on double taxation avoidance; on judicial cooperation; on mutual visa waivers for officials and diplomats and on the Entrepreneurship Development Institute that India will build in Zambia.

 

President Kovind also addressed the Zambia-India Business Forum.

President Ram Nath Kovind said, "Zambia and India are time-tested friends. Built on this strong foundation, our bilateral trade and economic engagement has prospered." 
 
While addressing the forum, Prez Kovind said, "Indian companies have invested significantly in Zambia, especially in mining, telecom, energy and manufacturing. But we can do more. There are opportunities for our businesses to explore from social enterprises to new technology; from community projects to highways; and from 'Digital India’ to 'Smart Zambia'.
 

Noting that the trade between the two countries has picked up significantly in the past few years, President Kovind urged all stakeholders’ small and medium enterprises, Chambers of Commerce, large companies, new entrepreneurs to diversify and expand the Zambia-India business corridor.
 

President Kovind said, "Both Zambia and India are blessed with a youthful population. We need to connect our young people through start-ups, skills, technology and new ideas." 
 
As part of President Kovind's visit, India has agreed in principle to provide concessional finance and support towards the construction of the Mahatma Gandhi Convention Centre in Lusaka. India has also gifted Zambia medicines and medical equipment worth USD 3 million as well as presented USD 100,000 for the Mahatma Gandhi School in Lusaka.
 

Earlier in the morning, the President visited the Embassy Park Presidential Memorial in Lusaka and paid tributes to three former Presidents of Zambia - Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa and Micheal Sata.

 

After his arrival here yesterday, President Kovind addressed a gathering of the Indian community. Today, the President will ceremonially commence work on the 93-km Lusaka Traffic Decongestion Project.