State to industrialise Nakonde

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 12:48:29 +0000

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

GOVERNMENT is undertaking feasibility studies aimed at identifying best locations where industries can be set up in Nakonde to promote entre- preneurs.

According to the then minister of Commerce, Trade and Indus- try who has now been moved to

Finance, Margaret Mwanakatwe, this was among many ways in which Government was trying to promote entrepreneurs in Nakonde.

Ms. Mwanakatwe explained that Government was also planning to set up multi facility economic zones in all parts of the country and that Nakonde was among the places to bene t from such investment areas.

“There are plans to develop multi-facility economic zones in every province. The Ministry of Commerce is ensuring that the operations of Zambia Development Agency are decentralised to better empower entrepreneurs in all the provinces including those of Muchinga.

“Feasibility studies and discussions with partners are underway to implement the decentralisation as well as identify the best location that addresses the entrepreneurs in Nakonde,” she said.

Ms. Mwanakatwe in an inter- view also said an investor had earmarked a dry port for Nakonde who had seen a potential opportunity eliminating from the agro processing industry.

She explained that the project once set up would promote agro processing in the area while at the same time providing job opportunities.

Ms. Mwanakatwe further explained Government had so far disbursed K3, 496,058 for 38 projects in Nakonde. Of these, 19 traded in beef, 16 stock feed, 2 in maize marketing and one in block making.

“Specific to Muchinga is principally agriculture and agro processing. Manshya farm block is the designated area. Milk processing as well out grower schemes.

“Manshya is the biggest designated farm block so far in the country.

“Soya beans and sunflower into cooking oil and feed products. The idea is producing in the farm block as well agro processing as value addition in the farm block,” Ms. Mwanakatwe said.