LUSAKA – Infrastructure minister Charles Milupi admits Zambia government is struggling with a huge infrastructure debt emanating from China loans.
Milupi, however said the Hakainde Hichilema administration was working round the clock to resolve “this bottleneck”.
He revealed that the government would engage Beijing to find an amicable solution to the infrastructure debt the UPND administration inherited from the PF regime which was led by Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
“Having promised to afford Zambians a highly transparent and accountable leadership, we are not shy to admit that we are struggling with a huge infrastructure debt, but we are working at resolving this bottleneck,” he said.
“During a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, His Excellency Mr Li Jie at my office in Lusaka on Wednesday, we informed the nation that we will engage the Chinese government to find an amicable solution to the infrastructure debt we inherited from the PF government,” said Milupi.
“Truly, the government is struggling with a huge infrastructure debt, in which a major component is owed to Chinese financers and contractors. As such, we are looking forward to effectively engaging the Chinese on a win-win solution to the infrastructure debt problem.”
Meanwhile, Ambassador Li said China and Zambia have cooperated closely in the field of infrastructure construction, and good progress has been made in key projects.
He named projects like the International Conference Centre, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, and Ndola International Airport as some of the progressive infrastructure construction thus far.
Ambassador Li said, at present, China-Zambia relations have entered into a new era.
“China has experience and technology advantages in the field of infrastructure construction and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Zambia in this field,” he said.
Ambassador Li said China was an important source of investment for Zambia.
“Zambia attracted the most Chinese investment in Africa last year. China appreciates the positive measures taken by the Zambian government to improve the investment environment, and is willing to work with Zambia to explore new approaches of cooperation in infrastructure construction, continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Zambia, and lay a solid foundation for Zambia’s sustainable economic and social development,” said Ambassador Li.
