CEEC sets aside K20m for industrial hubs

Sat, 14 Jan 2017 09:33:21 +0000

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

 ABOUT K20 million has been set aside by the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) for the construction of industrial workshops across Zambia.

CEEC director general Likando Mukumbuta said the money was part of the K300 million which the commission sourced last year from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

In an interview, Mr Mukumbuta said construction of the industrial yards was expected to start any time this year, adding this would involve the construction of 68 industrial workshops in each province.

He explained that the industrial yards would target people involved in steel works, wood works, automotive including manufacturing of auto spares, agro processing and also processing of gemstones in those provinces that have gemstones.

“2017 is going to be a big year because we are starting the construction of industrial yards, this is massive investment,” he said.

He said CEEC was currently constructing the yards in Western,  North Western, Luapula, Northern, Copperbelt, Lusaka and Eastern provinces.

He however said CEEC was still mobilising money for Muchinga, Central and Southern provinces.

Mr Mukumbuta explained that CEEC had secured land in Mongu, Solwezi, Mansa, Kasama Chipata, Ndola and Kitwe saying the commission was still negotiating for land in Lusaka.

Mr Mukumbuta also said CEEC would this year continue to roll out its district value chain programmes.

He explained that the commission had so far funded 2,500 projects countrywide under its value chain development programmes.

He said 91 projects out of the 2,500 were medium scale manufacturing projects.

Mr Mukumbuta also said CEEC had disbursed 2,500 loans to companies between 2014 and 2016 under the new Value Chain Development Programme.