We’ve realigned the way we work with China – HH
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
WE have realigned our relationship with China, says President Hakainde Hichilema.
He has also promised to build a highway from the Copperbelt to Livingstone to ease the cost of doing business.
Answering questions from Zambians in the diaspora during a plenary session at the three-day Zambia Diaspora Conference 2022 at Avani Hotel on Wednesday, President Hichilema said he has spent some time “to learn what caused the damage” in the relationship with China.
“There were a lot of wrong things done with our relationship with China and we went on to be un-credit worthy. We haven’t taken a different position with China. We have just realigned the way we work,” he said.
President Hichilema said by realigning the way Zambia works with any country it was taking out wastage.
He said the vision for Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) would be enhanced with China.
“We will do the highway straight from the Copperbelt to Livingstone. Our people spend a lot of time on the road. I know the value of time. We should not be doing a lot of idle things,” President Hichilema said.
On political stability, he said it had an effect on investments.
President Hichilema advised Zambians especially civil servants to work by output and not hours.
“Help us. Let’s work together. If we resolve these issues even our credit ratings will improve,” he said.
President Hichilema stressed that no one “will build Zambia apart from Zambians”.
On mining, he said some PF leaders had up to 50 mining licences per individual and asked if this was good.
President Hichilema promised to get rid of bureaucracy.
He said there were a lot of red-tape especially in getting business licences which he said takes too long hence affects job creation.
The conference held under the theme ‘Shifting mindsets to ignite growth” organised by the Zambia Diaspora Organisation (ZDO), the Zambia Promoting Leadership in America (ZLA) with the support of the International Organisation on Migration (IOM) was attended by several Cabinet ministers, senior chief Mukuni, the Bank of Zambia governor Denny Kalyalya and other personalities.