The SADC group of Ambassadors in Brazil has held Trade and Investments negotiations with the Brazilian Government aimed at accelerating opportunities for the corporate sector to do business with SADC member states.
At a meeting convened at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brasilia, the Host government equally expressed eagerness to commence business in earnest with SADC member states.
During the meeting, Zambia was named as one of the viable African Countries that Brazil was already collaborating with on establishing a biofuel industry.
Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Director of Department and Promotions of Energy Resources, Minerals and Infrastructure Alex Giacomelli da Silva said the commitment shown by the Zambian Government and its stakeholders on plans to establish a biofuel industry is commendable.
Mr da Silva has since encouraged other SADC member states in Brazil to emulate Zambia’s stance of considering reducing dependence on fossil-fuel and opt for other sources of energy, which has massive economic benefits for the country.
He also assured the SADC Ambassadors of his Government’s commitment of working in close collaboration with SADC member states in Brazil with the aim of finding better ways of facilitating economic and bilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile Zambia’s Ambassador to Brazil Dr Alfreda Mwamba said the gesture by the Brazilian Government of assuring SADC member states of strengthened bilateral cooperation in trade and investment as well as other sectors that promote economic development is a welcome move.
She disclosed that Zambia had more viable business partnerships with Brazil’s private sector, but was now more encouraged to get assurance from the Brazilian Government, who outlined a number of areas that will promote economic and bilateral cooperation.
The Zambian Envoy also added that the country’s plan to establish a biofuel industry is a milestone to the growth of the economy due to its benefits which include improved domestic energy security, reduced greenhouse gas emissions when compared to fossil-fuel which is expensive to produce.
This is contained in a statement issued by Grace Makowane First Secretary (Press and Public Relations) Zambian Embassy in Brazil.
