Zambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji revealed that his country is eyeing a comprehensive strategic partnership with GCC countries, adding the two sides are willing to organize an investment forum by the end of the year to reinforce trade and economic cooperation, and combat terrorism.
On the sidelines of a meeting he held in Riyadh on Thursday with GCC official Abdul Aziz al-Oaishek, Malanji told Asharq Al-Awsat that his country pledges to support any move that fosters Zambian-Gulf partnership in terms of providing guarantees for Gulf investments in Zambia or by offering sufficient information about the investment and legal climate there.
Zambia is ready to hold a joint investment forum within three months, he said.
The foreign minister stated that during his visit to Riyadh, he discussed ways to consolidate economic, political and cultural ties between the two sides in various fields.
Malanji said Zambia is taking steps to diversify its economy, paving the way for larger investments.
While claiming the Zambian economy is growing rapidly, he set agriculture, tourism, transportation and banking as a priority for the partnership between the two parties.
In his turn, Oaishek told Asharq Al-Awsat that discussions with Malanji focused on several issues, including ways to establish cooperation between Zambia and GCC.
The Zambian minister stressed that Gulf investments were welcomed in several sectors, mainly agriculture and tourism, Oaishek added.
