Numerous natural resources remain unexploited – Wina
By Staff Reporter
VICE-president Inonge Wina says numerous resources remain overwhelmingly unexploited.
Officiating at the Central Province investment forum and expo 2018 launch at Fringilla Lodge in Chisamba on Friday, Vice-President Wina, indicated that her government’s resolve was to facilitate private sector participation and investments in the development of the economy through “investments in various sectors of the economy.”
“Therefore, you all gathered here today representing the private and public sector; international non-governmental organisations, research institutions and the academia; are views by government as key participants in ensuring that Zambia as a country attains her development aspirations as set out in the 7 national development plan (7NDP) and the vision 2030,” Vice-President Wina noted.
“As government, we are well aware that this country is endowed with numerous resources in various sectors and opportunities in various sectors remain overwhelmingly unexploited. Therefore, to help our people improve their livelihoods from the exploitation of these natural resources and potential in various provinces in this country, government has been encouraging provincial leadership to engage private sector and promote investments that can increase wealth for both investors and the common man on the streets.”
She added that Central Province, in particular, was endowed with various opportunities.
“[It has] potential in agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, mining, manufacturing, infrastructure development and energy among others. Therefore, that the province has decided to hold an investment forum and expo is indeed commendable,” said Vice-President Wina.
And United Nations resident coordinator in Zambia Janet Rogan said old style, piecemeal development was not enough for Zambia’s transformation.
“Old style, piecemeal development is not enough now. We need fast, prioritised transformation. Government is changing and taking a multi-sectoral complex approach to achieve transformation…. The country cannot afford for us all to stand the next 50 years repeating old formulae and get nowhere. By 2030, the global deadline for achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) the population of Zambia is predicted to double. All these people need this country to be different. Fortunately, we can all come together like this to exchange ideas and discover opportunities and agree on investments to transform sustainable development together,” Rogan said, further pledging that the United Nations (UN) in Zambia would continue to support a series of provincial expos across the country.
She noted also that since the beginning of time, people and nations have flourished by trading.
Meanwhile, Savenda General Insurance contributed K200, 000 towards the hosting of the expo on October 8 to 13.
Savenda managing director and chief executive officer Irene Muyenga said the firm had already registered its presence in Central Province “by working with farmers in the Mkushi farming bloc.”
“About two months ago, we paid out an insurance claim of more than K2 million to a farmer whose ranch caught fire last year, destroying his wheat crop, centre pivots and combine harvesters…. Currently, we are working on logistics towards the opening of an office in the provincial capital, Kabwe, as further commitment of our resolve to work with the government of the day and supplementing in the efforts of job creation,” said Muyenga.
According to Central Province minister Sydney Mushanga, about K8 million is needed to successfully host the expo.
Agriculture minister Michael Katambo, national planning development minister Alexander Chiteme, several Central Province members of parliament and chiefs from the province attended the event.
The investment forum and expo would be held under the theme “accelerating investment for inclusive and sustainable development.”
