Lusaka, August 4, 2023—Fifteen out of 100 local and foreign investors contacted by the Muchinga Province Investment Forum and Exposition Committee to support the Muchinga Expo have shown strong interest to invest in the province. Of the 15 companies, five are foreign companies while 10 are local investors. Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule says the 15 investors have shown interest in investing in agriculture, energy, housing and mining sector in various districts in the province. Mr Mukungule disclosed this when he gave an update on Muchinga Expo preparations during a live radio programme on Phoenix FM yesterday. The Permanent Secretary mentioned that among the investors that have come on board, one investor Chance for Change has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with smallholder farmers to establish a chili outgrower scheme in Chinsali District. “Another company Ehad construction limited is also in the process of signing an MoU with Chinsali health office in the coming few days to construct staff houses,” Mr Mukungule said. He said the construction of staff houses at Chinsali general hospital will lessen traveling expenses and distance officers cover every day of about 20 kilometers. “Our officers travel a distance of about 20 kilometers to reach their workplaces at Chinsali general hospital but, once Ehad construction company constructs houses for our officers that side, it will be a huge achievement,” Mr Mukungule said.
The Muchinga Permanent Secretary added that land has also been identified in Chief Mpepo’s area for a sugar plantation to be established by Rara Farms, a commercial farmer based in Mkushi District. He said the coming of all these investors will put Muchinga Province on the map as the province will be developed. The Permanent Secretary stated that over 40 companies, 38 of which are local and two that are foreign-owned, have confirmed to exhibit during the Muchinga Investment Forum and Exposition this October. And speaking on the same programme Muchinga Investment Forum and Exposition Coordinator Mataa Kamenda stated that the success of the Muchinga Expo will be measured by the number of investments that will be established in the province.
Mr Kamenda, who is also Muchinga Assistant Director of Planning, said so far the response by some investors approached is promising adding that preparations are also going on very well. “So far the site where this Expo will take place is cleared. Water and electricity connection is in the process. We want all to be set by month end September,” Mr Kamenda said. The Expo Coordinator further called on those willing to invest in various economic sectors in the Province to come on board as Muchinga has vast and favourable land. Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary and part of the Expo team are in Lusaka Province for several meetings with various companies to lobby for support for the first-ever Muchinga Investment Forum and Exposition slated for October 3rd to 8th this year.
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