President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia warmly welcomed Hon. Jan Lipavský, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, on Wednesday at the State House in Lusaka. Minister Lipavský is on a working visit after his last stop in Angola, and the meeting signals a renewed commitment to deepening bilateral relations and exploring opportunities for mutual cooperation.
During the productive interaction, Minister Lipavský expressed his sincere appreciation for Zambia’s strategic significance in the Southern African region and reaffirmed that Zambia remains a top priority country for the Czech Republic. The discussions centered around enhancing trade and investment between the two countries.
Minister Lipavský shared news of a forthcoming development cooperation strategy for Africa, with a specific focus on promoting increased trade and investment. This initiative aims to stimulate economic growth and foster mutually beneficial partnerships.
In his meetings with President Hichilema, Zambian counterparts, including Minister of Commerce and Industry Felix C. Kakubo, and other officials, Minister Lipavský explored various areas of partnership. The discussions encompassed economic diplomacy, the formulation of a new cooperation program for the period 2024-2030, Czechia’s support in the health sector and medical evacuation capabilities, agricultural cooperation, and addressing geopolitical concerns, such as Russian aggression. The leaders expressed their determination to develop an action plan to guide future collaboration in these areas.
President Hichilema stressed the importance of mutually beneficial ventures, particularly in the fields of technology and agricultural mechanization, as they have the potential to create employment opportunities and foster innovative economies. He also emphasized the need for locally produced medicines to meet the demands of both the domestic and regional markets.
In a joint effort to promote healthcare, Minister Lipavský, accompanied by Minister of Health Sylvia T. Masebo, presented cutting-edge medical gynecological and obstetric equipment generously donated by Czech companies associated with the Association of Czech Medical Device Suppliers. The donation comprises a fully equipped gynecological examination room, delivery room, neonatal intensive care unit, and hospital beds. This gesture underscores Czechia’s dedication to supporting Zambia’s healthcare system and highlights the potential for collaboration in the medical sector.
Furthermore, Minister Lipavský inaugurated the Czech-Zambian Business Forum, which showcases a wide range of cooperation opportunities. Czech companies are eager to contribute their expertise in healthcare services, agriculture, research and development, and mining. The forum aims to foster partnerships that will drive economic growth, generate employment, and spur innovation in both countries.
Minister @JanLipavsky launched the Czech-Zambian Business forum. Czech 🇨🇿 companies have a lot to offer. Czechia can offer good solutions to Zambian partners for providing health services, agriculture, R&D, and mining. pic.twitter.com/PZRXi0S1hC
— Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@CzechMFA) June 14, 2023
The visit of Minister Lipavský and the accompanying Czech business delegation represents a significant milestone in strengthening the partnership between Czechia and Zambia. As both countries explore avenues for cooperation and exchange, they aim to pave the way for shared prosperity and progress.
