Ajman, Zambia discuss ways to enhance economic cooperation

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

Salem Al Suwaidi, Director General of Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), received Duncan Mollema, Consul General of the Republic of Zambia at the Chamber’s premises to discuss the cooperation and to explore the most important investment opportunities available to both parties.

The meeting also aimed to increase the volume of intra-trade and partnership between businessmen and investors of Ajman and Zambia.

Among the attendees at the meeting was Marawan Hareb, Director of Promotion and International Relations Department.

Welcoming the visiting delegation, Al Suwaidi praised the strong relations between the UAE and Zambia, stressing the importance of the meeting in highlighting investment opportunities for various sectors to serve traders and investors in both sides.

He also noted that Ajman Chamber is keen to constantly reinforce its cooperation with all African countries to optimally make use of the various elements and opportunities available in all fields such as agriculture, mining, infrastructure, education, tourism, education and others.

He presented an overview of the key sectors in the emirate of Ajman, the various components of the economy and the efforts of government to provide an attractive investment environment.

Al Suwaidi further noted that the educational and health sectors receive great attention in Ajman, promising various opportunities for co-operation and partnership between the two sides.

The meeting generally stressed the importance of enhancing the cooperation and expanding the communication between traders and businessmen to increase the volume of bilateral trade.

Marwan Hareb briefed the delegation on the various incentives offered by the Ajman Free Zone, the Ajman Media Free Zone and the Zora area, as well as the opportunities available, stressing the need to exchange visits between Ajman and Zambia to open-up new skylines of cooperation and to build partnerships between business communities of the two sides.

Statistics indicate that the volume of trade between the UAE and Zambia amounted to $ 560 million in 2019 compared to $ 533 million in 2018, growing by 5 per cent. This reflects the possibility of increasing the volume of future cooperation. For his part, Duncan Mollema, gave an overview of the most important investment opportunities available in Zambia, especially in the agricultural, mining and infrastructure sectors, with promising opportunities in the industrial sector.

He also briefed the attendees about the facilitations provided by the Zambian government for external investment.

Mollema concluded by inviting the Ajman Chamber and its members to participate in the virtual agricultural exhibition that will be held in Zambia next month to be acquainted with the most important products and to increase cooperation between businessmen of both parties.

At the end of the meeting, Salem Al Suwaidi and Duncan Molema exchanged gifts and memorial shields. The Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has begun carrying out a comprehensive plan to acquaint its members about the benefits of the incentive packages launched recently by the leadership in the Emirate of Ajman at the local level.

The plan further aims to introduce the facilitations and incentives offered by ACCI within the third incentive package, which was announced under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, and Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council.

“The Ajman Chamber is keen to enhance its communication with its members to ensure that they benefit from exemptions for Ajman Chamber services, especially membership renewal fee and membership renewal delay charges for the economic establishments,” said Nasser Al Dhafri, Executive Director of the Communications and Members Support.

“These establishments include Hajj and Umrah trips organising firms, exhibitions management and organisation, social events halls, massage centers and gyms, nurseries, hairdressing and gents and ladies salons, children’s barbershops, amusement games, cinemas, sports amusement parks and electronic games halls,” he added.

Al Dhafri continued, “It also seeks to raise awareness of hotel and tourist establishments in the emirate about benefiting from the exemption of membership renewal fees for the same period.”

Meanwhile Mariam Hareb Almheiri, Minister of State for Food Security, opened the “Agricultural Entrepreneurship Forum” organised by Ajman Business Women Council (AJBWC), which is part of the Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).