President Hichilema Holds Talks with UNCTAD Chief to Deepen Economic Partnership

President Hakainde Hichilema met with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Her Excellency Rebeca Grynspan at State House this morning for bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening Zambia's economic cooperation with the international body.

During the meeting, President Hichilema emphasised his government's desire to build on what he described as an "unblemished" partnership with UNCTAD, calling for a more rationalised and consolidated relationship that delivers tangible economic outcomes for Zambian citizens.

The President expressed gratitude to UNCTAD for the critical role it played in supporting Zambia through its landmark debt restructuring process, which has been widely regarded as a milestone for sovereign debt resolution in developing nations. He also acknowledged the organisation's ongoing assistance in promoting e-commerce across the country, particularly through the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) initiative.

President Hichilema underscored the importance of e-commerce taking root in Zambia, noting that digital trade platforms have the potential to eliminate many of the obstacles that currently hinder convenient and transparent commerce in the country.

Looking ahead, the President reaffirmed his government's commitment to an economic trajectory focused on creating sufficient employment and business opportunities for all Zambians while securing reliable revenue streams for the national treasury.

The meeting with Secretary-General Grynspan forms part of the government's broader engagement with multilateral institutions as Zambia continues to pursue economic reforms and position itself as an attractive destination for trade and investment.