Lusaka – Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema says he wants the long-standing relationship between Zambia and the United States to shift more decisively toward economic cooperation and mutual benefit.
Hichilema made the remarks on Wednesday, May 28, when newly appointed US chargé d’Affaires Mich Coker and his delegation paid a courtesy call on him at State House in Lusaka.
The President said the partnership between the two countries has endured beyond individual leaders and must continue to be nurtured. 
“The US – Zambia partnership has outlived personalities on both sides. The American and Zambian people have been together for so long and we want to make sure that we maintain that partnership because it’s of vital importance,” Hichilema said.
He said while the relationship has historically been anchored on aid, people-to-people exchanges and skills transfer, the time has come to reorient it toward commerce.
“We have to basically bring the private sector on the table so that we can expand more than the bilateral partnership anchored on the historical aspects. We have to help each other to share technology. We want to work together and truly being together at the levels of investment and trade for mutual benefit,” he said.
Coker, for his part, assured the President that Washington remains firmly committed to its relationship with Lusaka.
“Leadership may change but the relationship between the United States and Zambia is strong and absolutely must endure,” Coker said.
