Since its Embassy official opening in Seoul four years ago in 2014, the Embassy of Zambia hosted its National Day reception for the first time under the auspices of H.E,. Wylbur Chisiya Simuusa & Mme. under the theme “Celebrating Shared Future of Unity, Development & Prosperity”.

Held in a downtown Hotel Seoul on Oct. 23th evening, Zambia reception allowed participants to understand that Zambia is a hidden treasure in terms of its development & prosperity among African continent countries as well as a beacon of peace, according to the speech of Zambia Amb. Simuusa.

Given the huge potential existing in both South Korea and Zambia, there was an unacceptably low level of trade and economic cooperation between the two nations, Simuusa pointed out. He attributed this to the low levels of awareness in Korea about Africa in general and about Zambia, adding the same goes in Zambia about Korea.

In that regard, Zambia is an attractive investment destination offering various lucrative investment opportunities in tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, energy and mining, the Amb. said.

Regarding its investment climate, Simuusa introduced that it is characterized by a stable macroeconomic environment, stable political system, investment guarantees and security, duty free access to regional markets, wider African and U.S. markets and unrestricted repatriation of after-tax profits. The government offers a well-balanced package of fiscal incentives in priority areas as well as additional negotiated benefits to strategic investments, he added.

Moreover long celebrated for its peaceful history, rich and fertile land and the incredible natural wonders of Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River, it is perhaps the sheer wealth of activities now available to tourists that has seen Zambia rise up on the tourist rankings in a fairly long heritage and well-established reputation as one of Africa’s top safari destinations, and with such lush and sparsely-populated rural landscapes and so many different parks and safari activities to enjoy, it’s not hard to see why, according to Simmusa.

From the standpoint of the NDNnews(www.ndnnews.co.kr) & Korea Culture Ambassador Friendship Association, an affiliate organization of the NDNnews as well, Zambia envoys & its diplomats including former Zambia Amb. Mumba Smyth Kapumpa have been diligent in attending regional trip programs hosted by the NDNnews including Jeungpyeong Red Ginseng trip, PyeongChang Winter Olympic Test Event trip, Daegu My hometown Great Love Festival hosted by Hankook Ilbo in collaboration with the NDNnews as well as Yeoncheon DMZ trip this spring.

Touching upon major achievements of Zambia President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Simmusa introduced that Zambia aspires to become a prosperous middle income country by 2030 after completing development of its medium-term national development plan-the Seventh National Development Plan(7NDP).

African envoys were on hand mostly including Morocco Amb. Chafik Rachadi, Ghana Amb. Difie Agyarko Kusi, Cote D’Ivoire Amb. Sylvestre Kouassi BILE, Gabon Amb. Carlos Victor Boungou and chairman Lee Ju-young from the Africa New Era Forum, National Assembly said that EDCF agreement inked on June, 2016 brought a new momentum of substantial cooperation increasement between the two countries.