Fri, 23 Feb 2018 08:59:59 +0000
By PRINCE CHIBAWAH
A POLISH firm, URSUS, is to set up a tractor assembly plant in Zambia which is expected to churn out 3,000 tractors annually.
URSUS president Karol Zarajczyk said the company was committed to invest in Zambia and would soon move into the country and begin assembling tractors.
In a statement to Daily Nation yesterday by first secretary (press), at the Zambian Embassy in Berlin Kellys Kaunda Mr Zarajczk said the project was one of the biggest his company had to commit itself to on the African continent.
“We will not only assemble tractors but other parts such as trailers and front-loaders as well in addition to setting up, in each of the ten provincial centres, facilities where after-sale services such as repairs and sale of spare parts will be provided”, said Mr. Zarajczk.
URSUS vice president, Monika Kosko expressed optimism that the few challenges that have so far delayed the implementation of the project would be resolved.
“We are certain that soon rather than later, the project is taking off in Zambia”, said Ms. Koska.
Both Mr. Zarajczk and Ms. Koska said this when Zambia’s ambassador to Germany Anthony Mukwita visited URSUS in Poland.
Meanwhile, Mr Mukwita said President Edgar Lungu was committed to transforming the agricultural sector to include mechanization and improve food production, food security and profitability.
“I am a bearer of the message from President Lungu, and the message is that the Zambian leader is committed to ensuring that the tractor assembly plant is set up and begin the process of significantly transforming agriculture in the country”, said Mr. Mukwita.
At the Lublin plant, located 160 km south east of the capital Warsaw, URSUS manufactures tractors with horsepower ranging between 70 and 200.
The tractors come with a cabin that provides air conditioning along with a music system adding comfort and pleasure to the farming activity.
Since the agreement was secured to have URSUS set up an assembly plant in Zambia, there have been discussions underway with the company as well as the Polish government, which is providing the line of credit to the tune of 100 million dollars for the factory to be set up in the country.
