Japan’s foreign investment promotion arm – Japan External Trade Organisation has urged the country’s private firms to invest in Zambia’s agriculture sector.
Katsumi Hirano, Organisation Executive Vice President said JETO is targeting Zambia because of its potential of becoming a regional food basket.
Dr. Hirano has explained that the organisation is promoting mutually beneficial trade and investment relations, between Japan and other nations.
He says the organisation is optimistic that Japanese companies will greatly contribute to the industrialisation of the agriculture sector.
Meanwhile Chalwe Lombe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation said development of agriculture is a priority in Zambia’s Seventh National Development Plan because of its diverse spiral effect on the economy.
He said government is calling for more investment in the agriculture sector especially in the value addition chain of agro-products.
Lombe said the Zambian government would like to see a greater presence of the Japanese private sector in the country for mutual benefit.
