GOVT TO SET UP VALUE ADDITION BASED INDUSTRIES
By Mwila Nsofu
The Government says it will set up value addition based industries to turn around the Zambian economy.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister CHIPOKA MULENGA says for years, Zambia has been exporting raw materials ranging from logs to maize grain which has disadvantaged the country.
Mr. MULENGA says this is the reason the Government wants to partner with the United Arab Emirates based investors that can set up base in the country and add value to the products before exporting them.
The Minister says the Government is ready to secure their investment, by cutting down the bureaucracies and practically ensure doing business is made easy in the country.
Mr. MULENGA was speaking during the BUSINESS Forum which attracted various Investors from around the World and held under sub – theme Doing Business in Zambia in the United Arab Emirates.
He also assured investors that ZAMBIA is a safe destination, politically stable with the youthful human resource.
MEANWHILE, Energy Minister PETER KAPALA bemoaned the high levels of corruption in the procurement of the petroleum products in Zambia.
The Minister said the GOVERNMENT has changed and cut out middle men and OPTED to have private sector transport the fuel.
Mr. KAPALA also stressed that the Government will not FIX the price BUT REGULATE the petroleum prices.
And, ZANACO Chief Executive Officer, MUKWANDI CHIBESAKUNDA called on investors from the United Arab Emirates to partner with Financial Institutions so that they can provide finances to the local businesses.
Ms CHIBESAKUNDA said financial institutions are READY to partner with everyone and that is why they are at the EXPO 2020 in DUBAI.
Earlier, KAPESIKA Enterprises Chief Executive Officer, KAPEMBWA SIKAZWE appealed to the investors to come to Zambia.