The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) is impressed by the response from Finnish investors towards business opportunities in the country.
ZDA Director General Perry Mapani said the reaction towards the investment and trade opportunities that were presented during the Zambia- Finland Business Forum held in Helsinki was overwhelming.
He stated that financing institutions are willing to finance Finnish companies that are interested in partnering with Zambian small and medium enterprises.
“Finnish partnership, Nordic Investment Bank and Business with Impact (BEAM) are some of the financiers that are willing to finance joint ventures between Finnish and Zambian businesses,” said Mr. Mapani.
He revealed that the other investors that attended the event were interested in the areas of waste management, renewable energy technology and other innovative and sustainable projects.
He further said that ZDA is working on formalising its working relationship with Business Finland an equivalent of ZDA by signing a memorandum of understanding.
And Business Finland said in order to promote business, it is important that in the first contacts between the SMEs, various financial instruments are utilised which encourage cooperation and reduce the risks and costs associated with starting the business.
The ZDA Director General said in this vain ZDA will be identifying and engaging local SMEs with the view to ensuring successful partnerships with Finnish enterprises.
Mr. Mapani added that it is the hope of the Agency to see these interests transformed into actual projects in the near future.
The Forum which attracted 66 participants including export companies, consortium companies, financiers and other actors with interests to do business in Zambia was organized by ZDA in conjunction with the Finnish Embassy in Zambia.