Mr. Hidenobu Sobashima, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Zambia, addressed the Kabwe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at its Annual Gala Dinner held in a hotel in Kabwe, under the theme of “The Private Sector’s Contributions in Zambia’s Growth and Development”, as the Guest of Honour on Saturday 4 November 2017.
 

Ms. Christabel Ngongola, President of the KCCI expressed the hope that the presence of Japanese Ambassador here now will lead to strengthening the business relations between Japan and Kabwe.
 
Ambassador Sobashima referred to the history of the Japanese economic development, the Zambian economy, and the bilateral relationship between Japan and Zambia, including his hope that Kabwe will overcome the problems of pollution and will become the pioneer of sustainable development, and the introduction of Marubeni Corporation's plan to sign soon an EPC contract with IDC on a project to build a textile factory in Kabwe Multi-Facility Economic Zone, and concluded that Japan intends to contribute to the economic growth and development of Zambia, bearing in mind that efficient work such as that proposed by Kaizen Project, quality and innovation are key factors to this end.
 
In the Gala Dinner, a representative from ZAMBEEF, which was one of the main sponsors for the occasion made a presentation on their activities including those in Kabwe. At the presentation of awards by the KCCI, Ambassador Sobashima handed over the commendation as well as the shield or the trophy to such awardees as companies and schools who had contributed to the region.