A Chinese largest Non Ferrous mining group has expressed interest in investing more in Zambia’s mining and other sectors of the economy.
China Non Ferrous Metal Mining (group) (CNMC) Company Limited, which has so far invested in Chambeshi’s Non Ferrous Metal Company (NFC), said its interest was to contribute to Zambia’s economic growth and the improvement of the living standards of the people of Zambia.
CNMC International Trade Limited President ,Lou Tao, who arrived in the country today, assured President Levy Mwanawasa that his company would work hard to ensure that Zambia – China Economic Cooperation Zone becomes operational on schedule.
He said so far a lot of work has been done, adding that the company has held discussions with the minister of commerce on promotion agreements.
Mr. Tao, who spoke through an interpellator, added that the group has further completed the construction of roads and has finished the selection of the site for the construction of residential houses for Zambia workers in Kitwe.
Speaking when he lead his eight-man delegation in paying a courtesy call on president Levy Mwanawasa at State House today, Mr. Tao however said his group would adhere to labour laws.
He disclosed that in the past 15 months, the NFC has not recorded any incidents of mine accidents.
He added that the group was implementing eight of the issues that were agreed upon during the commencement of the project while the remaining two would be attended to before the end of the year.
Mr. Tao disclosed that Chambeshi’s NFC is in the process of drafting a plan to undertake more social responsibility.
He said CNMC was happy with the co-operation that the investor has received from government.
He said President Hu Jintao was keen to see that the project is successful for the benefit of the two countries.
Zambia and China in February this year unveiled , China-Zambia economic cooperation zone to be situated in Kitwe, another one in Lusaka, within which a copper smelter will be constructed by China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group.
The project that will see investment of about $800 million will create job opportunities for about 60 000 local people.
Speaking at the same meeting President Levy Mwanawasa said he was happy about positive developments that have taken place at NFC and economic co-operation zones.
He said government was looking forward to the completion of the zones so that more jobs are created to give relief to suffering people.
‘ As government I want to assure you that we will support you on anything that promotes any the living standards of the people. We want to be associated with everything the company is doing,’ the president added.
President Mwanawasa, who commended NFC for complying with labour laws, said government would want other Chinese companies to follow.
He said government, which supports Chinese, however gets concerned when it hears of reports about Zambians being disadvantaged.
The President said such reports make it difficult for government to defend such records.
Dr. Mwanawasa however expressed sadness that that there are people who are maliciously magnifying accidents in Chinese companies which he said can occur in any company.
He said Zambia’s co-operation with China has no strings attached and has since urged the international community worried about countries enhancing co-operation with China to leave the matter to Zambia.
He said Zambia knows what is best for its people, adding that the country views China as one country which is ready and willing to assist with development efforts.
OOOPS:That sounds pleasing anyway:Are we going to improve on quality control as a country so we aren’t intimidated to the fullest?
I feel the relationship btn zed and China is quite qualitable on paper but is it the same on the lower grounds in as far as the lower and middle class zadians are practically concerned?
Is mulungushi textile working?
Are we gonna continue with such kinda agreements like that of the village class building done at Kamwala?
On thestructural developmetal part,why is it
…that the western province seem to have nothing in it taking place?
The eastern too is getting worse and worse,,,,.Those beatiful mountains are becoming treeless.Only the charcoal industry which is an enemy to the ministry of forestly is doing good.
Is zed,doing,,,,special regional development?Where is the “One zambia One nation”?.
Merry xristmas…
It’s good if they intend to invest that much but let’s be realistic what kind of jobs would they have for 60,000 people? Not even ZCCM at it peak had so many employees during a time when work processes were labour intensive.
Are these 60,000 jobs Chuchu and his cHinese friends talking about permanent or casual jobs? If they’re permanent, do they match the lucrative packages that ZCCM offered?