By Chileshe Mwango
President Hakainde Hichilema has requested the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to convert Zambia’s debt which stood at US$13 million as at July 2021, into a grant.
Speaking when Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz al Saudi’s Special envoy Ahmed Kattan paid a courtesy call on him at state house this morning, president Hichilema also requested that fuel and fertilizer deals between Zambia and Saudi are relooked at.
President Hichilema said with the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia, it would be important for the two countries to revive the deals so that Zambia can access the two commodities from Saudi Arabia.
He says Zambia needs that country’s support now more than ever as the country is going through a lot of stress.
And president Hichilema has pledged support for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its bid to host the 2030 World Expo.
Foreign Affairs Minister Stanley Kakubo spoke to the media over the president’s meeting with the Saudi envoy.
And Mr. Kattan has thanked Zambia for expressing support to that country’s quest to host the 2030 World Expo.
PHOENIX NEWS