By STEPHEN KAPAMBWE
On the midnight of October, 2014, 23, Zambia and Britain will be looking back 50 years ago when the Zambian flag was hoisted for the first time in place of the Union Jack.
Since then, both Zambia and Britain have gone through transformative stages of cementing relations as equals, seeking mutualpolitical, economic and trade benefits.
In its efforts to ramp up trade with Zambia, the United Kingdom (UK), through the British High Commission in Lusaka, has in recent weeks undertaken major activities aimed at increasing trade volumes between the two countries.
The recent announcement of the employment of a dedicated officer at the British High Commission in Lusaka marked the establishment of the presence of the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in Zambia.
The UKTI is a UK government department that works with UK based businesses to ensure their success in international markets.
The UKTI also encourages the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice.
Furthermore, the UKTI helps British companies of all sizes to grow their business through international trade by offering expert advice and practical support through a range of programmes.
It helps to connects businesses to the world’s top commercial opportunities and drives targeted campaigns centred around them.
Therefore, the appointment – for the first time – of a dedicated trade advisor at the British High Commission would work towards promoting trade links between Zambia and Britain.
A media advisory made available in Lusaka recently said the appointee Ms Vichaya Chungu – prides herself in a good knowledge of the Zambian commercial sector, having previously worked in the logistics industry.
Mr Chungu graduated from the University of Zambia (UNZA) with a degree in economics and holds a post graduate qualification in international trade development as well as an MBA.
Ms Chungu has twelve years of experience in trade facilitation, marketing and logistics all gained while working in companies that have international presence.
She is expected to be part of a team dealing with trade and related protocols at the British High Commission.
Ms Chungu is expected to contribute towards increasing trade between Zambia and the UK in infrastructure, agriculture, and the extractives  sectors, as well as in education and skills.
She believes that Zambia can benefit from the high quality products and services in various sectors that the UK produces.
British High Commissioner James Thornton said trade between the UK and Zambia, which currently stands at K1.2 billion per annum, could be  much higher.
He said the UK had previously worked hard towards promoting commercial relations with Zambia, but this was the first time that an officer had been placed in the High Commission for that sole purpose.
“I am already seeing a lot of interest in Zambia on the part of British companies. But the opportunities available in Zambia deserve to be even better known in the UK, and part of Vichaya’s job will be to ensure that happens,” he said.
Among other things, the British High Commission in Zambia works closely with the Government and the Zambian community for mutual benefit, representing the UK and supporting UK interests in Zambia, including commercial interests.
The High Commission deals with a wide range of political, social, economic, investment, trade and security questions of interest to the UK and Zambia, working with the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the British Council.
It also provides consular assistance to British nationals.
As Zambia works towards creating an attractive business environment, reduced trade barriers and increased opportunities forbusiness, the British High Commission has been working towards boosting the UK’s reputation as a place to do business, to broker commercial partnerships and to increase Zambia’s inward investment in UK.
Hot on the heels of Ms Chungu’s appointment came a major trade mission of fifteen UK company representatives and consultants who traveled to Lusaka on a three day visit.
The trade mission was in Zambia from 12th to 15th October, 2014.
It was led by consultants British Expertise – one of the leading organisations supporting British companies by offering professional services internationally.
British Expertise members range from major international multidisciplinary consultancies to individual specialists.
The members are involved in the development of social and physical infrastructure worldwide, employing over half a million people.
Companies that participated in the trade mission were Adam Smith International, IT Transport (ITT) Ltd, WYG, Ecorys UK Ltd, Elantra Investment Ltd, Wagtech Africa LTD and Turner and Townsend Plc.
Others were Gapuma Group, IMC Worldwide Limited, Roughton Group, Aggreko and Campbell Reith.
The aim of the mission was to assist UK companies to explore business opportunities prevailing in Zambia.
A media advisory issued by the British High Commission in Lusaka said the trade mission was organized after last year’s successful scoping mission to Zambia that spurred significant interest from UK companies to further explore trade and investment opportunities in Zambia.
“I am delighted to welcome the British Expertise led Trade Mission to Zambia. This is an excellent mix of UK companies with expertise in delivering major infrastructure, energy, mining, water and health related solutions,” High Commissioner Thornton was quoted as saying.
The envoy said the mission gave companies from his country a better chance to understand the business opportunities that the Zambian market offers.
He expressed optimism that the mission could make a meaningful contribution to Zambia’s employment and wealth creation and help take existing UK-Zambia relations to the next level.
British Expertise in conjunction with UKIT-Johannesburg and  the High Commission in Lusaka, provided a three-day programme of meetings with senior figures from across the Zambian public and privatesector.
The meetings were held with ministries of Transport, Works, Supply andCommunication; Finance; Health; Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and Mines, Energy and Water Development.
Delegates also held discussions with representatives of Roads Development Agency (RDA), Zambia Railways, Zesco, Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), Zambian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, local major mining companies, the World Bank and African Development Bank.
The visit focused on opportunities in the infrastructure, mining, energy, health and natural resources sectors.
Delegates were given the opportunity to showcase their capabilities and experience, building strategic relationships with potential business partners in the country.
Britain’s interest in advancing trade levels with Zambia has come as a result of positive developments on the Zambian political and economic landscape.
Currently, Zambia is rated as one of the fastest growing economies in Southern Africa with growth estimated to be around six per cent over the next two years.
The six per cent growth rate puts the country almost at par withAngola which is estimated to be growing at nearly seven percent.
Regional economic power South Africa and Zambia’s neighbours like Namibia and Botswana are growing at a lower rate of less than five per cent.
Additionally, an entrenched democratic system coupled with a conflict free environment since independence 50 years ago puts Zambia a step ahead of other fast growing economies on the continent as far as the right climate for stable investment is concerned.
This picture presents an exciting proposition for companies looking to increase their footprint in Africa.
Other factors making Zambia attractive to investment have been subject of discussion even by UK Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds.
Addressing a major regional meeting in Lusaka early this year on UK’s priorities for its presidency of the G8, Mr Simmonds said adecade of  growth had seen Zambia increase income per head to almost US$1,500, a factor that had seen the country regain lower middle income status.
Speaking in a speech read for him by High Commissioner Thornton, Mr Simmonds said the growth had been built on sound macro-economic management, debt relief, good harvests and increasing foreign investment.
He described the country’s prospects for future growth as good.
It is hoped the appointment of a dedicated officer to handle trade matters at the British High Commission and the subsequent opening of  the UKTI office in Lusaka would lead to broader and deeper trade relations between Zambians and the British.