The activities of the Zambian-Egyptian Business Forum kicked off today, organized by the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association, headed by Dr. Yousrey ElSharkawi, and in cooperation with the Egyptian Trade Representation, the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the South Lusaka Multi-Facility Economic Zone.
The fruits of the serious work carried out by the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association continue to emerge, by opening horizons of great economic cooperation with African countries, the latest of which was today when it held a huge business forum with the state of Zambia. Since the launch of the association, it has succeeded in building bridges of trust and rapprochement with most countries. The continent, including Zambia, is a target country for investments.
Dr. Yousrey ElSharkawi, chairman of the Association, confirmed that the Association is implementing a strong strategy aimed at developing joint economic cooperation between Egypt and the African continent, pointing to opportunities to enhance trade and investment cooperation between Egypt and Greater Zambia, which are supported by strong historical ties in addition to the COMESA Agreement.
ElSharkawi added that the convening of this forum reflects the common desire of business organizations in Egypt and Zambia; To develop joint economic cooperation, and their desire to develop bilateral relations, and push the economic growth movement in the two countries.
He stressed that the organization of this forum is a great positive step. To encourage trade and investment cooperation between Egypt and Zambia, and push intra-trade rates to high levels, pointing out the importance of Egyptian and Zambian companies benefiting from the opportunities available in the various investment and trade sectors, and exploiting them to support joint economic cooperation.
ElSharkawi indicated that the forum aims to create a meeting point between the Egyptian and Zambian economies. Where the attendees discussed many issues related to the African economy, and stressed that the success of the forum will contribute to the consolidation of the role of the association in Africa, and enhance its position as a meeting center for the African economy, referring to the endeavor of the association this year to attract a wide range of businessmen; To exchange ideas on the economic issues facing us, and to promote dialogue between different countries, with the aim of building on the success it has achieved since its inception.
The head of the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) praised the association’s role in achieving economic growth for African countries, expressing in this regard his aspiration to transfer the Egyptian economic reform experience to Zambia, noting that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries exceeded $15 million in 2020, He stressed that the coming period will witness a growth in the volume of trade exchange between the two countries.
Noting that there are promising opportunities for cooperation with Egyptian companies in various fields, especially in the field of building, construction and real estate development, he added that there are promising opportunities for Zambian companies as well. To inject large investments into the Egyptian market, stressing the distinction and depth of relations between the two countries at all political, economic and social levels, especially after Egypt chaired the COMESA.
The ZDA President stressed that the two countries have strong strategic and historical relations, noting that the elements for growth of economic relations are available; Which encourages reaching unprecedented levels. He also praised the role of the association in advancing joint African action, especially with regard to the agenda of achieving economic integration, appreciating in this regard the strong and influential role played by the president of the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association.
At the end of the forum, ElSharkawi stressed the importance of encouraging the private sector in the two countries to take advantage of the opportunities available in Egypt and Zambia, as the association seeks to enhance trade and investment exchange between the two countries, stressing his desire to enhance cooperation with the promising Zambia side.