Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga says there is need to add value to minerals in order to stop exporting jobs.
Speaking during a high level dialogue, dubbed “Enhancing Africa’s Value in Mineral Value Chains”, on the sidelines of the U.S- Africa Business Summit in Gaborone, Botswana, Mulenga called on African countries to collaborate with each other as opposed to competing.
Mulenga said that collaborations between European and Asian countries were visible and urged African countries to emulate them.
He said Zambia was getting into partnerships with countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia and Zimbabwe in exploring various sectors.
“The partnership between the Government of Botswana and De Beers saying it is a path that most African countries should take,” he said
Mulenga said Zambia is promoting partnerships and joint ventures in order to accrue benefits that can positively impact the development of the country and improve people’s lives.
Earlier during the official opening of the U.S-Africa Business Summit, President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi hoped that the Summit would come up with resolutions that would lead to deepening of U.S- Africa trade relations.
Delegates who are attending the Summit include Mozambican President Felipe Nyusi, President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and President of Niger Mohamed Bazoum.
Others are Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini Sipho Dlamini and Namibian Vice President Nangolo Mbumba.
This is according to a press statement issued by First Secretary for Press Julia Malunga at the Zambian High Commission in Gaborone.