PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema is in Paris, France for a one day visit intended for talks on Zambia’s debt restructuring plan.
The Head of State who is accompanied by Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane and Foreign Affairs Minister Stanely Kakubo are today expected to hold bilaterial talks with the French President Emmanuel Macron.
The President was received by the Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to France Dr Christine Kaseba Sata, diplomatic and local staff as well as representatives from the Zambia-France Friendship Association.
First Secretary Press and Public Relations in Paris Naomi Ng’andu Mweemba said the meetings focus is aimed at the debt restructuring plan.
“President Hakainde Hichilema has arrived in Paris, France for a one-day official visit aimed at accelerating efforts towards a comprehensive Zambia’s debt restructuring plan. He is expected to hold bilateral talks with his French Counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday.
The meeting will focus on Zambia’s debt restructuring programme and explore areas of increasing trade and investment between the two countries,” he said.
Ms Mweemba said the President is looking forward to a debt treatment plan with favourable terms to put Zambia’s public debt on a sustainable path.
She noted that Mr Hichilema has undertaken a number of economic reforms aimed at reviving the economy and his diplomatic drive to Paris is crucial to ensure the effectiveness and speedy resolution of the debt restructuring programme.
“France is a member and host to Paris Club of Creditors – a group of official creditors whose role is to find coordinated and sustainable solutions to the payment difficulties experienced by debtor countries.She is also the co-Chair of the Creditor Committee handling the debt restructuring programme for Zambia,” she said.
Ms Mweemba added that the e Paris Club of Creditors and the G20 have been discussing Zambia’s debt restructuring under the Common Framework beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI).
(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 10th May, 2023)