SSACC Business Delegation - Zambia

​The business delegation to Lusaka was without a doubt successful, when you view how extremely happy all the delegates were with the programme and execution, as well as the new business relations that were developed - Henrik Cederin, Ambassador of Sweden to Zambia

We are very happy to report that the SSACC Business Delegation to Zambia April 16th - 19th was a great success!

Global companies such as ABB, Scania and Voith Hydro AB participated, also Confidere AB, Okapi Finance International AB, Safeman AB and Watersprint AB. In addition, Swedfund participated with a representative to investigate investment opportunities in Zambia, particularly in renewable energy, manufacturing and food processing. We were also happy to welcome Ambassador Bengt Carlsson from the Swedish MFA who joined the delegation.

The Delegation arrived at various times between the 15th and 16th of April. For those that had a full day in Lusaka on the 16th, B2B meetings were organized, and the official program began on the evening of the 16th with a welcome dinner at the Swedish Residence with invited guests from Zambian Industry.

On the 17th the Embassy of Sweden hosted a Business Seminar organized by SSACC in partnership with ZACCI. Nearly one hundred people attending the event, including Vice-Trade Minister Kayula Siame, Chairman of the Zambian Bankers Association, ZRA, ZDA, Standardization Office (ZBS), ICT Authority (ZICTA), other key Government officials, institutions and members of Zambian Industry, as well as media (TV / radio / newspapers). Two dinners were organized at the Swedish residence to further provide opportunities for strategic contact creation, exchange of knowledge and experience of doing business in Zambia and the opportunity to market Swedish solutions.

On the 18th, the Delegation had individualized full day programs of B2B meetings held at The Latitude 15, organized in partnership with ZACCI. During the course of the day each company had a total of 9 meetings, one every hour from 10:30 am to 18:30. The feedback we have received from the Delegates is that this kind of individualized program with concentration on B2B's/O's/G's is most valuable for them. In addition to the B2B's ABB and Voith Hydro met the Ministry of Energy and ABB also had the opportunity to meet the Ministry of Finance to look into the financing availabilities for power infrastructure projects.

The Delegation received national wide coverage, not only about the Swedish Businesses exploring opportunities in Zambia but also the long-term bilateral relationship between Sweden and Zambia. ZNBC, QTV and radio attended the Business Seminar on the 17th. 

In conclusion the business delegation's visit to Lusaka was undoubtedly successful. The companies have expressed satisfaction in the program layout and implementation, the relationships developed with Zambian business contacts as well as within the delegation. Several companies found potential Zambian partners and / or local representatives and significantly broadened their network of contacts in the country. They also gained insight into the political and economic situation that forms the basis of the complex business climate.

We are very grateful for the collaboration we have had with the Embassy of Zambia in Sweden, the Embassy of Sweden in Zambia and ZACCI. We look forward to deepening this collaboration with more activities in promoting trade and investment between Sweden and Zambia.

It would have taken us several months to gather the information and organise the meetings we got through participating in the SSACC business delegation - Stefan Borsos, Sales Director, Voith