Works and Supply Minister Felix Mutati says Northern Province is now open for business and ready to contribute towards national growth.
Mr. Mutati said this last night during the Pre-Expo Cocktail party held for invited investors at Lake Chilla Lodge in Mbala.
He revealed that already, from the calculations he had with Provincial Minster Brian Mundubile, practical commitment from the 40 invited investors has exceeded US$ 200 million.
Mr. Mutati who was guest of honour at the Cocktail party has announced that prio to the Northern Province Investment Expo scheduled for November 2018, another event to whip up the appetite for more investor attraction will be held soon to further compel more interest in the development journey that has started adding that this years’ November Expo will exceed any other Expo that has been done and yet to be done anywhere in the country.
“The province is committed to expanding the investment base and encouraged the business community to consider ploughing their money in the area.
The province is rich in various unique products such as Kasama Coffee, Kasama Sugar even Buka fish, the area also stands out as the only place where the First War ended on the continent of Africa”. He said
The occasion was also attended by his Tourism and Arts counterpart Charles Banda who earlier in the day officially launched the Mahogany Air flight to Mbala, at Samora Machel Air Base where he said Government’s vision is to ensure that Zambia becomes a major tourism destination of choice.
Mr. Banda also launched the Kasama flight at Kasama Airport before proceeding to Mbala.
And Mr. Mundubile said his administration looked at three key areas which are agriculture, tourism and the Mpulungu harbour which has since received US$100 million of investment from the Industrial Development Corporation.
“The three areas are already bearing fruits as investors have already shown tremendous responses through the pledged construction of the five star hotel at Kasaba Bay and the presence of Mansa Chilli which is constructing three operational hubs in the province”. Said Mr. Mundubile.
The investors that were present are Zambia Industrial and Commercial Bank, Choppies Limited, Zambian Breweries, Musika Development Initiative, SEEDCO, Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI), Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), Zamtel and Atlasmara among others.
