Mon, 19 Dec 2016 13:48:31 +0000
By Buumba Chimbulu
MANAGEMENT of Mpulungu harbour should quickly design a feasibility study for Zambia to have access to the Euro 400 million facility for regional infrastructure and integration development in the Common Market and Eastern Africa (COMESA), says Finance minister Felix Mutati.
Mr Mutati said the fund was a grant from COMESA available to 21 member states, but was on a first-come basis.
Speaking after touring the port yesterday, Mr Mutati requested the Ministry of Transport and Communication to work with the Mpulungu management in designing the project.
The minister said Zambia had an advantage to access the fund as it was currently chairing the COMESA finance ministers’ council which he however said called for project preparedness.
“Government is focusing on Mpulungu and Nakonde under this fund for regional trade. So before the end of the first quarter, you need have the design and put everything in place,” he said.
Mr Mutati said Zambia had a huge market for exports which, once utilised, would help grow the economy and promote trade with neighbouring countries.
Mr Mutati explained that countries such as Burundi were keen to trade with Zambia due to the competitiveness of exports.
“We need to scoop the market in Burundi by increasing trade in exports,” he said.
And Minister of Transport and Communication, Brian Mushimba, said Government was working to ensure that all forms of transport were in good shape and utilised.
Mr Mushimba said his ministry would ensure that it quickly concluded feasibility studies at the harbour.
Meanwhile, Mpulungu Harbour Corporation director Davis Kaluba said about US $35 million was needed for the modernisation of the harbour.
