Honourable Edgar Lungu, Minister of Home Affairs, Explains the Need for Security and Understanding in Investment.
European Times: In relation to attracting outside investment, how does the Ministry of Home Affairs operate?
Edgar Lungu: We make sure that everyone who does business in Zambia can rest assured that they will awake with all of their property and affairs still in place. We make sure that we maintain order and stability throughout the country.
European Times: There are several departments of the Government Republic of Zambia that fall under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Which departments are most important to potential investors?
Edgar Lungu: The departments that are most important to know and understand for newcomers to Zambia are the police force and the Department of Immigration. We make information as readily available as possible to make sure that we coexist. Where our laws and cultures may differ, there needs to be a clear understanding of where the differences lie. The police are charged with protecting all of our guests within the country. How can we attract investment when there is no certainty or clarity of the law and its application? Therefore, we work to make sure that everyone who does business in Zambia is respected and protected by the law.
“Everyone who does business in Zambia is respected and protected by the law.”
The Department of Immigration works to maintain security within the country, knowing the individuals as they come to our country. We facilitate the legal entry of every individual who comes to the country to add value. We have updated information of the Zambian Immigration process online and in literature to make sure that there are clear instructions for everyone who looks toward Zambia for investment. Zambia is centrally located in the middle of the SADC region. This also makes it very important for us to keep track of movement between our 8 border countries to provide safety for our population and guests.
European Times: What do you see as the key to healthy, long-lasting financial partnerships in Zambia?
Edgar Lungu: Our Ministry ensures that every comfort that foreign investors are accustomed to outside of Zambia will be received while they are in Zambia. How can we expect to move forward, as Zambians, without partnerships? Therefore, we only ask our global partners for mutual understanding and tolerance for one another, moving forward to benefit Zambia as well as the business interests of our partners.
