Zambia and China have engaged in talks to revive the defunct Mulungushi-China textiles in Kabwe.
Defence Minister George Mpombo revealed that a team of experts have been in the country carrying out technical assessment on the viability of the company.
Mr. Mpombo said the team of experts from China will be in the country for one month to capture and compile a comprehensive technical report which will be presented to both governments.
Mr. Mpombo disclosed this in an exclusive interview with ZANIS in Ezulwini, Swaziland.
He said the outcome of assessment which is expected before May would provide the way forward in terms of recapitalisation, investment and also strengthening the joint venture.
The Defence Minister said the two countries are committed to support and ensure that the company is competitive.
“The team of experts have so far captured a comprehensive factor of what we need to ensure the company is back into serious business and further strengthened. For us as government this is a significant development,” said Mr. Mpombo.
With the restoration of Mulungushi-China textiles about 2,500 jobs will be created and the out growers activities revamped.
“When the company closed down two years ago many jobs were lost and even the peasant farmers who were involved in growing cotton for the company lost their business. Now, once the joint venture is revived, about 2,500 jobs will be created thereby turning the economy of Kabwe around,” said Mr. Mpombo.
The Defence Minister pointed out that Zambia and China would like to ensure the company is utilised to its full capacity.
“For the last two years there has been serious hiccups in operations and a yawning capacity of that company. That company has the capacity to export and do miracles for the country,” said Mr. Mpombo.
Mulungushi-China closed down two years ago due to lack of capital injection paralysing economic activities in Kabwe.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mpombo commended the defence forces in the country for their professional conduct which he said has earned the country increased international recognition.
He said as a result of the high-quality conduct of the men and women in uniform, the United Nations has requested for an expanded deployment of Zambian peace keepers.
He has since advised the defence forces in the country to maintain the excellent conduct and to further be loyal to the government of the day.
“The defence and security wings should not divert from their core responsibility of maintaining peace and security in the country so that Zambians can do their businesses peacefully,” said Mr. Mpombo.
ZANIS/CBM/ENDS/MM
Hope something tangible will come out of this! We are tired of assessments!
B U L L S H I T!
For how long? We tired of stories these are the same people that were running the same company. They failed to run the company
What technical assessment on the same company they abandoned. Of all people the story is coming from the defense minister, whatever he has to do with Mulungushi.
Just turn that Mulungushi thing into something else
Please please environmental issues should be considered. Not they use and abuse and leave the place looking like trash. Proper policices should be put in place where workers can be compensated for eg. lead poisoning (just an example). Kabwe is suspected of suffering lead poisoning. The govt at the time, did not consider such, Anglo American corporation made their money and left. Now former miners are suffering.
How come Defense Minister is the one having information on a Commercial Undertaking. Is this a defense issue or a commercial issue? Is Mulungushi Textiles for Defense? I am kind of lost on this one. Those with the history, was Mulungushi a National Service program?
On “Defence Minister George Mpombo revealed that a team of experts have been in the country carrying out technical assessment on the viability of the company. Mr. Mpombo said the team of experts from China will be in the country for one month to capture and compile a comprehensive technical report which will be presented to both governments.”
Some word seems to be missing in the above two sentences for they are contradicting each other. When did the team of experts do the assessment? Where did they come from? Since the Chinese experts will be coming to do such a job, are they coming to do more after they did something? Are they coming to do something new to compare with those others?
If this article is correct? Mpombo, a minister of defence is issuing a statement pertaining to another ministry. What’s this? a kindergarten cabinet? What has happened to trade and industry department?
But why the Defence minister as if its an Arms company? The closure of the textile industry was sanctioned by Beijing so that Zambia is another dumping ground for cheap chinese textiles.china gains,zambia loses out.
Not again. All in the interest of the chinese.
I guess the Minister of Commerce will soon giving us a statement on national security
The Minister of Commerce will announce a deal in which china will be supplying us with arms and ammunition, telling us who is and who isnt allowed in our own country. Look at South Africa, they were told by the chinese that the Dalai Lama should not allowed in SA. This was such a sad day for a country like SA, looking at its history.
The company is owned by the Zambian govt through the Ministry of Defence.Some time back they used to even make uniforms for the Army.Things went from bad to worse when they brought in Chinese Management.
We are geting tried of China this china that , please we are doing well with the Salaula, at least there is some good quality stuff comming out of the Bells, We dont need the Chinse. Tell them to P Off.
Ba honey, at the rate we are going, one day you will hear that RB has appointed Lin Xhaou Teng (whoever he is), as Vice-President of Zambia!
Ba Moze, Have you heard that RB has made a Chinese man called Xong La as the minister of lands.
Joke
we need to buy the products from mulungushi textile industry