By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
ZAMBIA has this year recorded close to US$40 billion worth of committed investments, with the highest registered in the manufacturing sector.
[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”4,5,6″ ihc_mb_template=”2″ ]
In terms of the actualised investments, the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) indicated that the country recorded US$ 2.1 billion and 25, 890 jobs.
ZDA Board Chairperson, Biemba Maliti, announced yesterday in Lusaka that US$39.95 billion worth of committed investments had been recorded this year from 379 investment projects.
Professor Maliti said this was compared to US$8.61 billion recorded in 2022 from 359 projects, thereby representing an increase of 364 percent.
He said this in Lusaka at a media briefing to assess ZDA’s performance this year 2023 and outlook for next year
“The manufacturing sector recorded the highest investment worth US$19.72 billion followed by energy with US$8.9 billion, mining with US$6.04 billion and Transport with US$ 1.65 billion.
“In addition, 160, 280 jobs were committed from the 371 investment projects recorded in 2023 compared to 75, 320 jobs committed from the 359 investment projects recorded in 2022, representing a percentage increase of 113 percent,” Prof Maliti said.
Prof Maliti pointed out President Hakainde Hichilema’s foreign trips as part of the key drivers which had led to increased investment pledges as he had continued to inspire investor confidence.
“The President has performed excellently well in promoting Zambia as first choice destination for investment as evidenced by the nearly US$40 billion of committed investments in 2023.
“The President has opened many strategic doors by unlocking the much-needed capital from the rest of the world, making it easier to attract and promote investment,” he said.
[/ihc-hide-content]
