ZAMBIA needs investors who will buy into its economic development agenda, President Edgar Lungu has said. He said Government seeks investment which promotes economic growth, business opportunities, job and wealth creation.

The head of State said this yesterday when he toured and launched the US$50 million Mansa Sugar Company. President Lungu said his administration is keen to partner with serious investors to foster national development. The Mansa Sugar Plant, which started production two years ago, has so far created over 1,500 direct and indirect jobs.

“My administration appreciates the transfer of modern technologies and enhanced efficiency through investment in research and development, skills development leading to improved standard of living of our people,” President Lungu said. He urged all investors in Luapula Province to expedite their projects for the benefit of the whole country.

President Lungu said Mansa Sugar and other large enterprises should establish linkages with local entrepreneurs. He said this will facilitate business linkages and technology transfer, including human skills development. “It is gratifying to note that since the Luapula Expo in 2017, which I officially opened, we have seen the private sector playing an important role in the development of the province, “ he said. The President is pleased that Mansa Sugar is establishing an out-grower scheme of up to 1,000 hectares in partnership with the local community.

“As Government, we are also pleased to note that the initial investment of US$28 million in this project has been raised to US$100 million, of which US$50 million has already been invested,” he said. The President said Government will continue to address bottlenecks hindering investment especially in rural areas.

He said the country can only attract more investment in remote areas with a sound business environment. The head of State also urged the Luapula Province administration and line ministries to ensure the KashibaKasenga border post in Mwense is reactivated to facilitate smooth export of sugar to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mansa Sugar company head projects and corporate affairs Bhupender Singh said the factory is processing between 100 and 150 metric tonnes of sugar daily. Mr Singh said the company has so far developed 32 kilometres (km) of a powerline, 92 km of roads and a fully functioning irrigation scheme.

He said of the 10,000 hectares it requested for, 5,000 was allocated and is on title. He, however, urged Government to consider exempting the company from withholding tax on interest and accord it a tax holiday of 10 years due to the high cost of the project. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Christopher Yaluma described the country’s business environment as flexible and conducive.

Meanwhile, Chembe Member of Parliament Sebastian Kopulande said the Mansa Sugar project is set to transform the province into an economic hub. Dr Kopulande urged Government to work on feeder roads in the region as they are in a deplorable state. And President Lungu later toured the 20,000 hectares cassava out-grower project in Kawambwa district by Sunbird Bio-Energy. The cassava project, situated in the Luena farm block, will be used as feedstock in the US$190 million ethanol project.

The project aims to substitute 120 million litres of imported petroleum per year and is expected to produce 32 megawatts of power. Over 1,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs will be created. Earlier, the President met three Chishinga traditional leaders of Kawambwa. The three, Senior Chief Mushota, Chief Chama and Chief Munkanta, complained about the poor state of roads, but appreciated development projects being undertaken by Government in the district. The traditional leaders pledged their support to President Lungu beyond 2021.

In response, the President reiterated that development cannot be executed overnight as it is a gradual process. The President assured that Government projects being undertaken in the various sectors of the economy will be completed because development has no end. He said his administration is aware of the numerous incomplete projects which need to be completed to improve the welfare of citizens. The head of State said this at Mansa Sugar Plant when he met six traditional leaders led by Senior Chief Mwewa of Chifunabuli.

“A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, even for us, we are taking one step at a time and we will eventually finish. “In 2021, it will be difficult for us to come and ask for your support if we do not finish the projects. So we are aware of the lagging programmes and we will work on them, “ he said.

Senior Chief Mwewa said many projects in the road, health and education sectors are lagging due to erratic funding. The traditional leader, however, thanked President Lungu for appointing several cabinet ministers from Luapula Province as this is enhancing growth in the region. “If there will be development inadequacies in Luapula, then it will be blamed on our ministers because President Lungu has demonstrated willingness to develop this province,” he said.

Senior Chief Mwewa also said the establishment of Mansa Sugar in Chembe district will enhance economic activities in the region. Katanga Province governor Jacques Kyabula thanked President Lungu for working with his Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) counterpart Felix Tshisekedi to improve the livelihoods of the two people.

Mr Kyabula was in the country to witness the commissioning of the Mansa Sugar Plant.