Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Elias Mubanga has called for enhanced collaboration between Zambia and Japan.
Mr Mubanga says there is a need for the two countries to identify possible areas of bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the two countries.
ZANIS reports that the minister said this when Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Mizuuchi Ryuta paid a courtesy call on him at his office today.
Mr Mubanga said the ministry was created after government realized that the small and medium businesses were not receiving the attention they deserved for them to thrive.
He expressed optimism that the creation of the ministry will contribute to fostering and accelerating growth of small and medium businesses.
Mr Mubanga described the visit to his office by the Japanese Ambassador as important as it will further consolidate the already existing bilateral relations.
And Japanese Ambassador, Mizuuchi Ryuta said the Japanese government is keen to learn the objectives government intends to achieve with the creation of the new Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
Mr. Ryuta said once the expectations are known, it will be easy to render support to government so that it achieves the desired goals.
He thanked the minister for meeting him and his delegation to chat the way forward on building strong bonds of cooperation.
The minister and the Japanese Ambassador later held a closed door meeting which was also attended by senior government and Japanese officials.