Kayula Siame, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI), Zambia received an interview in the series of the Global Celebrities Give CIIE the Thumbs-up.

She said that Zambia really appreciates the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which is beneficial not only to MCTI, but also to the whole country.

She views that the CIIE is an important exchange platform, allowing buyers, sellers, and investors to discuss business related to many goods and services.

Meanwhile, the CIIE can help diversify the Zambian economy by assisting Zambian enterprises involved in export business to expand the existing market and generate new opportunities, she added.

Siame said that so far 14 Zambian companies running businesses in the fields like gemstones, textile, health education and agriculture have confirmed their participation in the CIIE. And MCTI as a government department will work with its subordinate Zambia Development Agency to support and facilitate their participation.

Siame also expressed Zambia’s positive expectations to Chinese market which is ready and available. She said China and Zambia have shared very good friendship for a very long time. In 2015, the two countries signed an economic and trade bilateral agreement, with the main purpose to enhance the economic and trade relationship with China and further deepen the friendship.

Siame noted that Zambian enterprises need to open their eyes to understand the Chinese market and brainstorm how to bring traditional Zambian products into China. The MCTI will offer its support in supervision, quality, and standards, which in Siame’s opinion, will help Zambia seize the opportunities offered by the bilateral agreement, achieving a closer and coordinated development for the two countries.