Zambia’s Commerce Minister Margret Mwanakatwe says there is
need to develop a strong technology-based diversified and export focused
manufacturing sector which is self-sustaining as part of the country’s
development strategy.
Speaking at the Eastern Province symposium on development in
Chipata district this morning, Ms Mwanakatwe said the country should also be dynamic,
resilient to external shocks and competitive with effective entities that add
value to locally abundant natural resources.
She said to this effect, Government will facilitate the up
scaling of manufacturing sector towards higher value addition, and upgrade capacity
in the provision of related services.
Ms. Mwanakatwe noted that government has placed emphasis on transforming
industrial businesses and complementary services into strong value creating
entities.
She noted that locally available resources are not sufficient
to finance Zambia’s development appetite saying both domestic and foreign direct
investment remain important to the country’s development agenda.
She also stated that
Zambia is focusing on value addition of locally produced goods for increased domestic and foreign market earnings, and development for both hard and soft infrastructure such as
roads, e-commerce and border facilities.
The Minister of commerce also stated that in order to promote
industrialization, Government accessed US$50 for lending to Micro Small and
Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) to enable them contribute to wealth and creation of
employment.
“Through the Citizen Economic Empowerment (CEEC,) government
is providing empowerment funds, technical support and mentorship programmes. My
Ministry has also been encouraging MSMEs to tailored financial products,” she
said.
And Minister of Agriculture Dora Siliya said that agriculture
there is need to address threats that affects the agriculture sector for improved
agriculture industry.
Ms Siliya noted that agriculture is one of the key sectors
that contribute to the country’s job creation.
“Government is to this effect, putting in place stringent
measures to ensure that challenges faced during the distribution of inputs in
the 2016-2017 farming season are addressed. There is also need to increase production
in the agriculture industry especially at household level,” She said.
The Minister further called on farmers to always consider
farming as a business by embracing value addition to their produce and engaging
in crop diversification which is vital in improving income generation at household
level.
Meanwhile, Eastern Province Minister Makebi Zulu explained
that the aim of the symposium is to bring stakeholders together and identify bottlenecks
that affect the development agenda for the province.
Mr. Zulu said being an agro based and the largest producer of
commodities such as maize, groundnuts and cotton, the province is still
importing most of its finished products such as mealie meal and peanut butter.
“We are keen to promote and localize improved value chains in
agro processing and its infrastructure development through the creation of an
enabling environment for private enterprise to thrive and promote sustainable
public private partnerships,” he said.
He noted that Government looks forward to a time when the
farmers will be self-sustaining through improved systems of out grower schemes,
mechanization of farming, best farming methods and crop diversification through
extension services and promotion of agro processing.
And Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people of Eastern
Province said traditional leaders in the province have committed themselves to do
away with negative traditional norm and practices that hinder the development
process.
Speaking through chief Madzimaweof the Ngoni people of
Chipata district, Paramount chief Mpezeni said that chiefs are happy that government
recognizes traditional leaders as partners in national development saying there
is need for government to embrace and co-opt all levels of leadership for
sustainable development.
