By 
President Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned the Lusaka International Arbitration Centre (LIAC) with a directive to ensure that all government-commericial related disputes are resolved at the centre.
Hichilema said the centre would give the entire business community a platform to effectively and efficiently resolve their differences promptly.
Commissioning the center in Lusaka on Friday, the President stated that the country could not continue doing business in the courts of law.
He said the centre as a forum for alternative commercial dispute resolution was crucial for economic development of the country.
“We are committed to supporting this institution to succeed and attract business even beyond the borders,” Hichilema assured.
The President called on the business community to help build the capacity of the LIAC as the preferred choice for resolution of both local and international commercial disputes
“The plan for the Centre was made known during the LAZ Annual Conference in April 2023, and today, we are delighted that this institution is now ready to discharge it’s intended mandate of resolving commercial disputes locally and on time,” he said.
Hichilema stated that LIAC represented a new chapter in Zambia’s journey towards becoming a leading centre for commercial dispute resolution in Africa.
He said it was also a demonstration of the commitment of the business community and the legal profession, to finding solutions to problems that they face.
“The establishment of the LIAC reaffirms government’s commitment to fostering a fair, efficient and transparent legal system that facilitates international commerce and investment,” the President stated.
Hichilema added that the center would serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development by instilling confidence in investors, both domestic and foreign.
He said it would offer a reliable mechanism for resolving disputes outside the traditional court systems, thus reducing the time and costs associated with litigation.
The President emphasized the importance of LIAC in the country’s economic reconstruction and expansion.
“LIAC should be marketed with professionalism and integrity to maintain the country’s good image by helping businesses to settle disputes quickly,” Hichilema directed.
He advised the centre to help improve the quality of contracts the country engaged itself into, simple, easy to understand with favourable terms and conditions.
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