By NATION REPORTER
CHINESE Ambassador to Zambia Du Xiaohui says China will facilitate and fast track the issuance of export permits for silk production at the Mupika Sericulture Silk Farm in Mpika.
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The silk farm has not been able to produce the finished product which is the fabric due to lack of an export permit.
Mr Du, who took a familiarisation tour of the Mupika Sericulture Silk Farm, said that China would like to get into a cooperative partnership with the Zambian government so that it can strengthen and have a strong cooperation with Muchinga Province.
He also said Muchinga Province has hard working people, land, water and agricultural activities are done all year round while China on the other hand has the technology, capital and willingness.
Mr Du added that the province, being the youngest in the country, should also be dynamic with economic development, that China is ready to help the region.
“The youngest province in Zambia should also be a province with dynamic and economic development, China is ready,” said Mr Du.
He also said that China will help fast track the issuance of the export permit at the Mupika Sericulture Silk farm so that the company can be able to export the finished product.
“I want to solve the problems here at Mupika Sericulture Silk Farm, to export silk cocoons. This is the goal of the Wonderful Group, they want to export the finished product,” the ambassador said.
And Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule said the Mupika Sericulture has employed a good number of people and as it embarks on the value chain, the company will be able to create more jobs.
Mr Mukungule said this will in turn generate revenue for the district and the country as a whole, thereby contributing to the Gross Domestic Product of the nation.
“As we embark on this farm, on the value chain, I believe that a lot of employment will be created for our people. By so doing we are going to generate revenue for the district and for the country thereby contributing to the general GDP of the nation,” he said.
Mr Mukungule said the government would like the cooperation between the two countries to be enhanced so that more investment can come to the province.
Mpika Town Council Chairperson Mwape Musoma disclosed that the silk farm has contributed to job creation and welfare with over 600 people employed.
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