Technology and Science Minister represented Zambia at the fourth round table on investment and sustainable development virtual conference.
In his address – speech Mr. MUTATI said despite the push for investment policy review in the years 2010 and 2011 under the theme unlocking investment potential in Southern Africa authored by Finland and other cooperating partners the review process slowed in view of implementation.
Minister MUTATI said the review document then focused on investment policy, investment – promotion and facilitation, trade and competition policy, tax policy and infrastructure development.
Minister MUTATI however said ten years later there has been inherited debts and implementation process that dragged its way.
He said Zambia therefore needs to increase access to renewable energy especially with current ongoing cost service study – tariff structure and equally consideration of the legal framework review to ensure it motivates investment and facilitates competition in green energy to that effect opening foreign direct investment.
Mr. MUTATI indicated that as a newly elected government, a number of pending issues arose and to deal with in view of investment climate in energy. He said Zambia therefore requires institution capacity building, legal framework to support investment in view of technology perspective, and clarity on tariff requisites as many investors are looking for government guarantees in order to create an enabling platform.
The fourth annual roundtable brought together global experts to explore the importance of creating a favourable investment climate that supports decarbonisation and green growth.
The discussions highlighted the importance of the OECD Policy Framework for Investment and the FDI Qualities Initiative in guiding governments through the necessary reforms, and in strengthening the link between investment and climate policies & institutions.
The OECD Secretary-General, Mathias Cormann, delivered opening remarks.
The keynote addresses were delivered by Jose Fernandez, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, USA, and Felix Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, Zambia.
Panellists included:
Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand
Debora Revoltella, Director of the Economic Department, European Investment Bank
Jorge Sequeira, Managing Director, CINDE, Costa Rica
Brigitta Huckestein, Senior Manager for Energy & Climate Policy, BASF
Karsten Löffler, Head of Frankfurt School-UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
Lisa Sachs, Director, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
