Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, has acknowledged the importance of private sector participation in industrial development in the country.
The Minister further notes that steel production is one sector that is helping to stimulate and attain the country’s economic growth.
Mr Mulenga states that government supports industrialisation from viable companies such as Motison Metals Integrated Steel Limited (MMI) a private company that produces steel and contributes to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The media reports that the Minister has also expressed gratitude that MMI is producing steel that is crucial and used for the mining operations, agriculture, construction and energy sectors.
Mr Mulenga, who was accompanied by his Permanent Secretary In-charge of Investments and Industrialisation, Crusivia Hichikumba, said this when he toured MMI Steel Limited to familiarise himself with its operations.
The company supplies large quantities of steel metals to support industrial growth as well as nails, roofing sheets, tubes, pipes, plastic tanks among other steel related materials.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the tour, MMI Steel Limited Group Director, Gopal Kedia, appealed to the government to consider reducing duty on imported raw materials.
Mr Kedia disclosed that his firm is currently operating at 30 percent, hence, this incentive would help resolve electricity challenges being experienced.
He further revealed that the firm imports raw materials from China and South Africa.
Mr Kedia also stated that the company exports metals to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe.
