Embassy advances the Grow Zambia Agenda at the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE)
By Derrick Sinjela and Hellen Bwalya
In a Wednesday, 11th November 2026 Press Statement, Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Beijing, China, Major General Arthur Kalaluka (Rtd), has said that the Embassy’s participation at the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) demonstrates Government’s commitment to advancing the Grow Zambia Agenda which seeks to expand production, increase exports, attract investment and promote private sector-led economic growth.
Major General Kalaluka said this when he visited the Zambian pavilion at the just ended CIIE held in Shanghai, China. Maj. Gen. Kalaluka noted that the exhibition of Zambian products including Soya bean, Honey, coffee bean and minerals provides a platform for forging deeper commercial partnerships, attracting investment, and facilitating joint ventures with prospective Chinese and international investors.
“The CIIE provides direct access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets, enabling Zambian businesses to showcase their products, meet and interact with buyers and potential investors and explore new opportunities for export growth,” Maj. Gen. Kalaluka added.
Maj. Gen. Kalaluka noted that Zambia is particularly keen to leverage such opportunities to advance the Government’s policy of promoting value addition and industrialisation, moving away from the traditional export of raw materials.
Maj. Gen. Kalaluka said the country is encouraging investments in mineral processing and beneficiation, as well as partnerships in coffee roasting, packaging, branding and distribution, to enable more Zambian products to reach international markets as finished or semi-processed goods with higher economic value.
Maj. Gen. Kalaluka stated that China’s zero-tariff treatment for products from Zambia presents a significant opportunity for exporters to increase the volume and competitiveness of their exports in the Chinese market.
The Charge acknowledged the participation of officers from the Ministry of Trade and Exports, Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Lusaka South Multi-Economic Zone (LS-MFEZ), Zambia Export Development Fund, Zambia International Trade Fair Trust and the Zambian Enterprises present. He emphasized that each institution brings its own distinct value towards the Grow Zambia Agenda and assured the delegation that the Zambian Embassy in Beijing is ready to complement and support these efforts.
On the sidelines of the expo, the delegation met the Shanghai Construction Group and Enqi Textile Company, to explore potential areas of cooperation in tourism infrastructure development and textile manufacturing.
Co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Shanghai Municipal Government, the CIIE is an important platform that provides an opportunity for countries to engage with potential trade partners and for enterprises from around the world to showcase their products and services in an effort to secure market access in China. The event was also used as a platform to promote the forthcoming Invest Zambia International Conference, scheduled to take place from Wednesday 9th to Saturday, 12th December, 2026 in Zambia to be hosted by the Zambia Development Agency. – Embassy of the Republic of Zambia, Beijing, China.
structured deal rooms.
Invest-Zambia International Conference 2026
Objectives & Targets
Building on the 2025 momentum, IZIC 2026 will shift from broad investment promotion to targeted, transaction-driven engagement, with a curated delegate base and a sharper focus on investment readiness.
The 2026 edition will place a stronger emphasis on pre-vetted bankable projects, structured deal rooms, sector deep-dives, and follow-on investment facilitation, ensuring measurable post-conference outcomes
Key Targets for 2026 Include:
2,500 delegates (1,000 international and 1,500 local)
100 local and international exhibitors
USD 5 billion in committed investments
Increased conversion of project pipelines into signed deals
Eight (8) new export market linkages secured for Zambian products
Invest-Zambia International Conference 2025
Highlights
The inaugural IZIC 2025, held from 16th–18th July 2025 in Lusaka, significantly exceeded expectations and demonstrated strong global confidence in Zambia’s investment outlook. The conference attracted 2,902 delegates, including 1,000 international participants from 69 countries, alongside 70 exhibitors and over 50 speakers across strategic sectors.
