Govt calls for car assembly  plant in Zambia

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 13:06:56 +0000

 GOVERNMENT has put in place policies and an enabling environment for Zambian entrepreneurs to explore ways and means of creating value addition businesses rather than focusing on trading in finished products.

Transport and communication minister Brian Mushimba said his desire was to see a Fiat manufacturing plant churning out finished units from an assembly line in Zambia rather than imported vehicles rolling out of showrooms.

Speaking during the launch of the Fiat Fullback pick-up by Southern Cross Motors, he said the event was  an affirmation by the key business agents and economic players who had decided to invest more resources locally to offer superior goods and services to the Zambian people.

“As Government we are happy that the model being launched will not only address fundamental business demands from modern-day drivers but also provide modern road traffic safety features as the model has a very high rating on the safety front,’’ he said.

Mr.Mushimba commended Southern Cross Motors for their positive contribution to the growth of the Zambian economy.

He explained that over the years Southern Cross Motors had been a key player on the Zambian auto mobile market through the distribution of various models of vehicles that continued to power the domestic delivery system of the Zambian  economy.

He said the Government’s economic policies were aimed at providing quality goods and services and creating employment to the population.

He advised that companies should be involved in youth apprentice programmes which would resolve the current unemployment in the country and would be in tandem with the current drive to grow the economy.

And Southern Cross Motors general manager Tony Voorhout said the new Fiat pick-up conformed to the modern-day customer’s demand for a quality vehicle.

He said the vehicle met all the requirements for a versatile vehicle suitable for the family and commercial purposes.