By PAMELA INAMBAO: Lusaka, February 1, 2023. ZANIS—

MUCHINGA Province has signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU with the MC Group and Partners based in South Africa aimed at facilitating investment projects in the province.

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary (PS) Henry Mukungule signed on behalf of Muchinga Province while MC Group and Partners County Manager Martha Chonya signed on behalf of MC Group and Partners.

And speaking during the MoU signing ceremony Muchinga Province Minister Henry Sikazwe says the Provincial Administration has taken advantage of the conducive economic policies of the New Dawn Administration by planning to host an investment forum and expo this year in october so that the province can be opened up to both local and foreign investment.

“The event we are witnessing today is just one of the many lined up activities aimed at opening up the doors of the region to the local and foreign investors, through the showcasing of the various investment opportunities and potential available in the region,” He says

Mr Sikazwe says Muchinga Province is endowed with abundant natural resources such as arable land, wildlife, fertile soils, forests as well as magnificent physical features like waterfalls, rivers and hot springs to mention but a few.

He adds that the region is further blessed with a rich heritage and political history which is evident by numerous historical sites dotted in several districts in the province.

“We therefore wish to take advantage of these various natural and physical features that the province has by engaging several local and foreign institutions to invest in the region in several sectors such as agriculture, tourism, energy, value addition and several others,” He states.

“As provincial administration we believe this is the right time when the much talked about investment potential is translated into real investment that will result in job creation and ultimately improved living standards among our people, it is for this reason why provincial administration has started to engage partners like MC group and it’s partners way before the Expo so that by the time the event is held, preliminary investment agreements would have been reached,” Mr Sikazwe adds

Mr Sikazwe further thanked MC group and its partners for coming on board to collaborate with government through Muchinga Provincial Administration in planning to develop the province.

And Speaking earlier MC group and Partners Country Manager Martha Chonya thanked the Government of Zambia for giving the company an opportunity to partner in the resource mobilisation for development in Muchinga Province.

Ms Chonya says the company is ready to bring development in the province saying the company intends to set up a processing plants in order to support farmers so that they are able to meet the demands of different produce.

She says the company saw it important to partner with Muchinga Province as it has fertile soil and arable land.

“We are going to carry out our activities through training farmers as we want our farmers to produce quality produce that is marketable,” She adds.

She further called on the Provincial Administration in Muchinga Province to work together in achieving their goal.

And in his vote of thanks, Senior Chief Nkula says the traditional leadership in the province have no doubt that the signing ceremony will contribute to the successful hosting of the Muchinga Investment Forum and Expo slated for October this year.

“As traditional leaders we are hopeful that the event will result in improvement of the quality of life of our subjects by providing them with opportunities in employment and investment ventures that will enable them  to live a healthy and productive life style,” He says.

The traditional leader further commended the Provincial Administration for responding to the development needs in the province through bringing on board investors.

Senior Chief Nkula also thanked the MC Group and Partners for the willingness to extend their investment and services to Muchinga Province adding that the traditional leadership is ready to work with the company in a bid to support government agenda.

The MoU signing ceremony which was held at Lusaka’s Provincial Administration Boardroom was attended by some Government Heads Department from Muchinga Province, MC Group and Partners, Area Member of Parliaments for Muchinga Province among others.