LUSAKA, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese enterprises operating in Zambia on Thursday donated 3 million Zambian Kwacha (about 124,000 U.S. dollars) to support the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), the country's investment arm, in hosting the inaugural Invest Zambia International Conference.
During a ceremony attended by officials from the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, the ZDA, and representatives of Chinese companies, Jin Jun, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, said the conference is a key initiative by the Zambian government to attract investment and stimulate economic growth.
The Chinese Embassy recognizes the importance of the event and is committed to supporting it by encouraging broader participation from Chinese enterprises, he said, adding that the donation is a tangible expression of this support, and the total sponsorship from Chinese enterprises has now surpassed 4 million Kwacha.
"As the first international conference dedicated to promoting investment in Zambia, support from the Chinese business community goes beyond financial sponsorship," Jin said.
He said Chinese enterprises, in collaboration with the ZDA, will host a side seminar during the conference, where several investment agreements are expected to be signed.
China, he said, remains Zambia's largest source of foreign investment and its second-largest trading partner, with Chinese enterprises active in sectors such as mining, energy, transportation, and agriculture.
In his address, Albert Halwampa, director general of the ZDA, praised the Chinese enterprises for their donation, noting that the funds will significantly aid in the preparation and successful hosting of the conference.
"The main objective of the conference is to scale up ongoing investment efforts in Zambia," he said.
So far, over 1,100 delegates have confirmed their participation, surpassing the initial target of 1,000. The government, he said, launched the annual conference as a platform for investors to meet, network, sign deals and establish joint ventures.
The Invest Zambia International Conference will be held from July 16 to 18 in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, under the theme "Driving Generational Transformative Investments Through Joint Ventures and Partnerships."
The event is expected to attract a diverse group of investors, financiers, policymakers and business leaders from around the world and aims to position Zambia as a premier investment destination.
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