A Malaysian cellular phone manufacturing firm ‘M’ mobile is to establish a mobile phone assembly plant in Lusaka at a total investment out lay of US$3 million.
Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said in an interview yesterday that M mobile, which is to establish the plant in partnership with a local company Melcome, is expected to start operations later this year.
The company would have capacity to assemble about 500,000 units annually.
The minister said the assembly plant would be able to assemble cellular phones for both the local and export markets within the Southern Africa Development community (SADC) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) regions.
“Zambia will become the hub for exports of cell phones in the region,” Mr Mutati said.
Additional jobs would be created as a result of the establishment of ther plant in Zambia.
“The country needs investors who will contribute to the growth of the country’s economy and not investors who would only maximise profits for their personal gain,” he said.
The minister also reiterated the need for local investors to partner with foreign investors which he said would go a long way to contribute to the realisation of the vision 2030.
Mr Mutati challenged local investors to take advantage of the conducive economic policies in Zambia to engage in activities which would add value to various products.
“Government has created an enabling environment for everyone so it is up to investors to utilise such opportunities which would not only benefit investors but stimulate growth.” he said.
The assembly will be located off Lumumba in the industrial area.
[Times of Zambia]
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sounds good and interesting. hope they wont bring their own to work here. this might create employment for our people.
We need more industries in Zambia. This is a good start.
Maybe Zambia could resume the motor plant assembly in Livingstone, start producing Malaysian cars too?
Start a clothing industry for clothing export.
Jobs will be the talk of the day if we thought of starting industries in Zambia.
I should say that this is a very good and excellent development. We need such green field investments in Zambia as opposed to investors who just come in the country to buy already set up companies, rip the profits and ultimately leave these companies worse off than they were before. Such green field investments will not just bring equipment with them but inter,alia technology, deep seated competencies, skills and a wealth of knowledge.
Continued: The exports that will follow will bring in the much needed foreign exchange, jobs and ultimately help in the alleviation of poverty. Notwithstanding the afore remarks, the government should be cautious when signing agreements with these people for example on the issue of taxes and employment policy. In as far as jobs are concerned, we have a lot of qualified Zambians who can do the job excellently. We do not want a recurrence of what is happenning in the minning industry.
This team is working guys, the investment confidence is improving I should say, congrats new deal, we will get better investors soon.
chuchu is not so bad after all.congrats..
The malys are not sufferers like indians and chiniese. The indians and chinese have so much poverty in their own countries that investment like this is kept in thier own country. They only bring kaponya investment or investment based on exploytation.
Pat!! Ewe! you need to get a life and stop being xenophobic and accept the fact that without the indians and the chinese you would still be growing maize and using ox carts.Be grateful! Everyone is trying to earn a living here. This country should be looked at as the land of opportunity!! and not oppression as you so happily state….ignorance is bliss..but you still cant educate yourself and think on how better to service your country.. Get a life!!
# 8, Mr No name,Of cause i will be xenophobic seeing what is happening. Those minerals are not only for you, me and the chinese and indians but for future generations of Zambians. With your attitude of come 1 come all and fill you pockets in Zambia, we will be left with nothing but polluted wasite lands. Point me 1 indian manufacturing investment ?. You say we would be suffering had they not come in, why did’nt they come in when prices of metals were low ? If they did not come the europeans would have come. Don’t bullshit your self about they are our saviours. Add value to exported raw materials. And if the goverment wont make noise me and Mr Sata will for the sake of our children.
Dan, you are welcome. It is such an enmcurageoent to people of all ages when a young person lives fully surrendered to Christ. Do you have a personal connection with Austin? His stories are such precious testimonies of God at work. Thanks for the comment!