“Zambia has stood with India on a number of issues”

Interviews \ DIPLOMATIC INTERVIEW

“Zambia has stood with India on a number of issues”

H.E. Mrs Judith Kan’goma Kapijimpanga, High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia in India responded to India Empire Magazine on a range of issues...

What is the presence of Indian companies in Zambia like?

We should not forget the fact that Indians arrived on the Zambian soil long before independence taking advantage of both countries being British colonies at that time. To this effect, we have fourth generation Indians living in Zambia and doing business

There is a huge presence of Indian companies in Zambia. As mentioned earlier, $5 billion has been invested in Zambia by Indian companies. Among the Indian companies operating in Zambia are: Airtel, Tata, Link Pharmacy, Konkola Copper Mines (Vedanta Mines), RJ Cooperation (manufacturers on Pepsi and other beverages), Nava Bharat Singapore Ltd and many others too numerous to mention. Here we should not forget the fact that Indians arrived on the Zambian soil long before independence taking advantage of both countries being British colonies at that time. To this effect, we have fourth generation Indians living in Zambia and doing business.

Indian investment in Zambia currently stands at $ 5 billion while Zambian companies are yet to invest in India. Health, tourism and education are among the new businesses that have acquired great momentum in the recent past where Zambian and Indian companies are collaborating

Kindly comment on the contribution of the Indian diaspora which is present in Zambia, and can they play a greater role in strengthening ties with India?

The India diaspora in Zambia has been very instrumental in strengthening ties between India and Zambia. It is through their contribution that we have seen increases in FDI from India to Zambia.