JEC Meeting Between Türkiye and Zambia Held in İŞKUR

Hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Second Session of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) between Türkiye and Zambia was held. Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security together with Mulambo Haimbe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Zambia, signed significant agreements regarding the enhancement of economic, commercial, and social cooperation between the two countries.

Samet Güneş, the Director General of Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) also attended the meeting organised at İŞKUR Conference Hall. Along with the agreements that were signed up, major decisions were also made to boost trade volume, encourage mutual investment, and strengthen cooperation through new deals. While the parties reached an agreement on specific projects based on mutual benefit and a win-win approach, they emphasized the goal of strengthening the institutional framework of their relationship even more.

 
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Işıkhan recalled that the Africa Strategy was launched in 2003 as a demonstration of Türkiye’s commitment to the African continent, stating: “Relations with the continent have been developed on the basis of mutual respect, equal partnership and a win-win approach. Thanks to this strategic vision, Türkiye has contributed to the improvement of the economic and social conditions in Africa whilst significantly advancing political, economic and humanitarian cooperation with the countries of the continent. Today, we have embassies in 44 African countries, whilst 38 African countries have embassies in Türkiye. The Türkiye -Africa trade volume, which stood at 5.4 billion dollars in 2003, has reached approximately 40 billion dollars as of 2025. “The market value of our direct investments in Africa has reached 15 billion dollars, and Turkish contractors have undertaken over 2,000 projects across the continent, generating a business volume of approximately 100 billion dollars,” he said. 

Turkish Investments in Zambia Have Created 4,000 Employment Opportunities

Minister Işıkhan, noting that the trade volume between Türkiye and Zambia reached $32 million in 2025, continued as follows: “The trade potential between the two countries is undoubtedly much greater than the current volume. In this context, I believe that the regular Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meetings, Business Forums, trade delegations, and participation in mutual trade fairs will significantly boost our current trade volume. The market value of the Turkish companies’ investments in Zambia has reached 70 million dollars and provides employment for approximately four thousand Zambian citizens. As Minister of Labour and Social Security, I am delighted by this development.” 

 
The Bonds with Zambia are Getting Stronger, Both in Trade and in Friendship

Emphasizing that the legal infrastructure of relations with Zambia continues to be strengthened, Işıkhan added that: “An Agreement on the Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments (MPPI) between Zambia and Türkiye is in force. Later today, we will sign the ‘Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation’ with the Minister, which is a very meaningful step. I have no doubt that these agreements will give momentum to mutual investments. Our cooperation with Zambia in the fields of development and education is also steadily growing stronger. Through our TIKA, Türkiye Scholarships, and the Lusaka International Maarif Schools, which began their activities last year, we are carrying out initiatives to reinforce the bonds between our Zambian friends and Türkiye.”

Noting that the meeting evaluated cooperation between the two countries in many areas based on mutual benefit and identified concrete steps for the coming period, Minister Işıkhan emphasized that Türkiye will closely monitor the decisions that have been taken and rapidly implement them.

Following the meeting, the minutes of the Türkiye – Zambia Joint Economic Commission meeting and the Agreements on the Avoidance of Double Taxation were signed, aiming to reinforce trade between the two countries.