Lusaka Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe said the establishment of agro-processing plants in Lusaka will reduce wastage of agro-products and contribute to sustainable economic development.
Mr Mwakalombe was speaking at Ethiopia’s Bole International Airport when he was transiting from China where he was attending the China Zambia week alongside Vice-President Inonge Wina.
This is according to a statement issued by first secretary for press and tourism Inutu Mwanza at the Zambian mission in Ethiopia.
“Lusaka being an area with a lot of agro-products will now have means of preserving agricultural foods after the processing plants are set up,” he said.
Mr Mwakalombe also said plans are underway to divide Lusaka Province into industrial zones that will culminate in the setting up of industrial parks that will be specialised in manufacturing to grow the economy in the province.
He said Lusaka needed an economic boost as it was the second biggest contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) after Copperbelt Province.
Meanwhile, Mr Mwakalombe announced plans to turn Lusaka into a conferencing tourism site with modern structures that would attract people to Lusaka Province.
He said Government intends to partner with Chinese investors to upgrade old buildings in the central business district.
He said those who own buildings have been called upon to enter into partnerships with some Chinese investors who would develop skyscrapers in Lusaka.
And Zambia Tourism Agency chief executive officer Felix Chaila, who was part of the entourage, said tourism is the catalyst for investment and economic development if well harnessed.
He said Zambia’s tourism sector needs to be driven by the domestic market like China.
Mr Chaila said the Ministry of Tourism has plans of building hotels in tourist destinations in order to make accommodation affordable especially for local tourists.
Skyscrappers ey?? Oho…Timelines would have been nice so we can remind you in case it ‘slips’ your mind.
THIS IS SHALLOW THINKING BY PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW. THE AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING HUBS SHOULD BE SET UP IN PROVINCIAL CENTRES NEAR WHERE FARMING IS TAKING PLACE. INDUSTRIAL ZONES SHOULD BE SET UP IN PLACES LIKE CHIPATA, CHOMA, KABWE, KAPIRI, MANSA, KASAMA, MWINILUNGA, AND OTHER RURAL CENTRES. TOURIST FACILITIES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED IN PLACES WHERE WE HAVE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS. THIS APPROACH WILL DECONGEST LUSAKA AND WILL SPREAD DEVELOPMENT ACCROSS THE COUNTRY. IT IS MYOPIC THINKING TO BELIEVE THAT ALL DEVELOPMENTS SHOULD BE CONCENTRATED IN LUSAKA. ZAMBIA DOES NOT START WITH LUSAKA AND END WITH LUSAKA. LUSAKA IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE OF ZAMBIA AND SHOULD NOT BE TURNED INTO AN INDUSTRIAL HUB. IT WAS EVEN A MISTAKE TO SET UP THE MFEZ IN LUSAKA.
You want to turn the capital city into an agric process hub…laughable…you need to partner with Chines for this!!
Chinese, Chinese, Chinese everywhere. Soon we shall start to even eat DOG meat as they do in China. Zambia is no doubt in big trouble now developmentally especially, after losing many mortals who knew what and when/where to build or construct what due the coming of the muuch dreaded hiv/aids. What we have today are indeed under 5s who not only get exited with latest technologies like CCTV/DRONES etc., and even believe what they watch on Chinese Television today as cardinal truth.
@ Nkope what’s your point???
meanwhile lusaka is a DIRTY DUMP…filthiest capital in the world where any jim and jack can set up a kantemba ANYWHERE they like…USELESS
Now The Country’s Adminstrative Centre To Be Turned Into An Agricultural Hub So That You Attract More People Into Lsk?
Wat’s The Point Of Aquiring Loans For Decongestion?
Zambia Is Big, Everyone Shud Enjoy The National Cake Equaly. Why Is It That Everything Is Lsk?
Ama Sip Sip Factory, Lsk.
Boom Washing Powder Factory, Lsk.
Biscuits, Etc Are All Made Frm Lsk. Thats Why You Will Always Find It Difficult To Develop Zambia Because You Think Lsk Is The Onky Place You Can Put Anything.
Nothing will ever be good news as long as your head is connected to Under Fives!
He is now pointing where you guys are working – from prison!