Zambia keen to open its doors
Zambian officials and entrepreneurs are calling for Chinese manufacturers to explore their country in depth and help with its ongoing industralization and rebranding.
"Africa is the next place where the growth is going to take place," Kayula Siame, permanent secretary of the nation's commerce, trade and industry ministry, told Shanghai Daily at the China International Import Expo on Wednesday.
"We are stable, we have the labor force, and Chinese companies have come and hopefully increasingly more."
She said China's move from the world's largest exporter to one of the largest consumer markets matches Zambia's development.
On a United Nations list as one of the least developed countries, Zambia received partial exemption and a subsidy from the CIIE bureau to take part, as promised by President Xi Jinping at a forum on China Africa cooperation earlier this year.
Siame has brought companies involved in agriculture and gems to the expo and she is already looking forward to next year's fair.
"It is my first time here, but I have learned quite a bit of Chinese from those who have visited Zambia," Rashmi Sharma, a partner Jewel of Africa, said Shanghai Daily.
"I'm not just interested in promoting my company, but also Zambia. We have so many high-quality gems of different types, but for decades, nobody recognized that they are from Zambia. It is time to change this through our rebranding campaign."
Sharma is confident of the new Chinese market as China has a traditional interest in green gems such as jade, and "we have the best quality emeralds in Zambia."
