We’re in India to meet captains of the industry – Nalumango
By Oliver Chisenga in Delhi
WE are here to meet the captains of the industry and see that which we should take home, declared Vice-President Mutale Nalumango upon arrival in the Indian capital Delhi on Monday.
Vice-President Nalumango is accompanied by Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Elias Mubanga, her two permanent secretaries Lillian Kapusana and Mervis Nkomeshya, and a number of other government officials.
She said her trip to Delhi fits in very well with the new dawn government’s agenda of marketing Zambia as declared by the chief marketing officer President Hakainde Hichilema.
She is in India to attend the 17th CII-EXIM BANK Conclave on India-Africa growth partnership which has attracted more than 33 countries from Africa.
The event also includes 300 representatives from government and business and 19 ministerial delegations from 10 African countries.
“The significance is that our coming here fits in very well with the new dawn agenda. You know that my President, Hakainde Hichilema is the chief marketing officer and I am his deputy so I come on the same mission to fulfil the vision,” she said. “You know that as a country we have gone into economic diplomacy. It doesn’t matter where we go we should fit in this fact. So, we are here to meet the captains of the industry and see that which we should take home. I am sure you realise as Zambians that India is a very important partner and now it’s our time to assure them of who we are, that we are transforming, creating the environment that is conducive for any business.”
She further said she was in the Asian nation to attract nationals there that they could travel to Zambia and invest.
“When they are investing, let nobody use wrong words, when they are investing it means growing our economy; it means finding jobs for our people. That means a lot of good things in the value chain,” Vice-President Nalumango said “We are saying value addition and these are things that Indians have done. And you know, they are so many and we are so small, so if we attract them I see Zambia getting better.”
Vice President Nalumango said Zambia needs India in so many fields of economic engagement.
She noted that India has progressed in so many ways.
“You came earlier than me and I am sure you know that India has progressed in so many ways. We want them in agriculture, not just farming but value addition. Again, processing, manufacturing…that’s is what we want, whether you go into pharmaceutical, we need them home,” said Vice-President Nalumango. “It’s time we started having factories of that nature so that we can manufacture the drugs that we need. Remember, we actually want to interest them because coming to Zambia is actually coming to Africa. I think this is a very important meeting for us.”
According to her marathon programme, Vice-President Nalumango, among other activities, will have a bilateral meeting with the Vice-President of India, Shri M Venkaiah.
She will also deliver a key note address at the inauguration session of the 17th CII-EXIM BANK Conclave on India-Africa growth partnership at Taj Palace.
On July 20, Vice-President Nalumango will depart for Ahmedabad where she will visit Amul Dairy Plant in Gujarat State.
At Amul Dairy Plant, Vice-President Nalumango will have a meeting with the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited.
At Amul Diary which is the largest cooperative in Asia, Vice-President Nalumango will tour the plant to familiarise with the operations.
Amul is an Indian Dairy State government cooperative society.
It is the largest food product marketing organisation with an annual turnover of $5.3 billion, making it the largest cooperative in Asia as of 2021.
The cooperative is owned by 360,000 small and medium scale farmers who have over 31 high-tech plants producing more than 80 dairy products.
She will later visit Torrent Pharmaceuticals in Mehsana, the largest pharmaceutical plant in India.
After the tour of the pharmaceutical plant, she will have a briefing with Torrent management.
Vice-President Nalumango will have a meeting with Pathik Patwari, the president of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries and potential investors to Zambia.
On July 20, the Zambian ministers in the delegation will participate in the country session and plenary discussion on trade and investment opportunities in Zambia to attract Indian investment.
The 17th CII-EXIM BANK Conclave on India-Africa growth partnership will be held from July 19 to 20.
