President Levy Mwanawasa has told potential investors to ignore false negative stories they hear about Africa and Zambia in particular but instead visit the country to see for themselves the immerse investment opportunities which they can exploit.
Addressing businessmen and women who are members of the initiative for global
development here, Dr. Mwanawasa said stories about insecurity, poor governance and
high incidences of killer diseases such as Malaria, were being spread.
The President said with 40 per cent of water in Southern Africa sitting in Zambia,
agrand opportunity was open for serious investment in hydroelectric generation as
well as bio fuels.
Dr. Mwanawasa, who reiterated that his New Deal Administration had achieved a lot in
the past five (05) years of running government, said the anchor for the increase in
economic growth was mining, which accounted for 4 billion US dollars investment
since the privatisation of the industry a few years ago.
He also said government was prudent in the use of tax payers’ money and, above all,
it had a lot of respect for private property.
The President assured the potential investors that Zambia was the safest and most
rewarding investment destinations as it boasted of being peaceful, non-violent,
tolerant and democractic in conducting its affairs.
In terms of Agriculture, the President said some 56 (fifty six) per cent of the
total landmass of arable land was still available for agricultural production.
He said the abundant available land was complimented with good climate and plenty
water resources thereby creating a huge irrigation potential.
The President was accompanied at this meeting by First Lady Maureen, Commerce and
Trade Minister, Felix Mutati, Health Minister Brian Chituwo and Education Minister,
professor Geofrey Lungwangwa.
