By KALUNGA MWAPE
GOVERNMENT is focused on securing Zambia’s energy generation and supply surplus and it is, therefore, keen on strong partnerships between Zambian and regional investors to develop energy projects, President Hakainde Hichilema has said.
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President Hichilema is also encouraging Zambian entities to participate in joint venture investments in mining and spearhead value addition to accelerate economic development.
“Adding value to our mining will accelerate economic development, create employment and business opportunities along the value chain and I am very keen to see joint venture investments between local Zambians and regional partners to achieve this,” President Hichilema said.
The President spoke about his vision for Zambia’s energy and mining sectors when he met Mr. Rostam Azizi, the Chairman of Tanzania’s Taifa Group, at State House yesterday.
Mr. Azizi is in the country to meet with various government and private sector entities relevant to the investment opportunities that his company has identified to make in Zambia.
Taifa Group, through its subsidiary Taifa Gas Limited, recently announced its first joint venture investment with Zambian entity Delta Marimba to develop a 100MW gas powered generation plant in Kasama.
Mr. Azizi said President Hichilema’s invitation was a challenge to African investors to bring capital to Zambia, and that he would be extending his network to bring other businesses to Zambia to explore the many opportunities the country was offering.
The head of State however emphasised the need for foreign investors to work in partnership with Zambian investors that were already putting money in the economy.
“Zambia is in the right position to attract more investments and as Taifa Group, we will do our best to ensure that more regional investors come to Zambia. Taifa Gas will particularly leverage the strong and positive relationship between Zambia and Tanzania to develop opportunities in energy and mining, and I am happy that we already have local partners,” Mr Azizzi said.
And Mr. Padmore Muleya, Chairman of Delta Marimba disclosed that preliminary works on the liquefied petroleum gas project was progressing well, and that the government was fully supportive of the project to ensure that it comes online within the next 24 months.
“The Zambian government’s support to the energy sector is important in ensuring that all investments being made and planned are actualised within optimum timescales to attain the surplus that the President is focused on, and which is critical to Zambia’s energy security,” Mr Muleya said.
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