Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Acting Permanent Secretary (PS) Richard Banda says Zambia has a lot to learn from the Republic of Egypt in the infrastructure development.
Dr Banda says infrastructure plays an important role in economic activities of each nation adding that without infrastructure the nation cannot have any Economic activities.
The acting PS was speaking when he officially opened a business meeting with the Arab Contractors Company at Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka where various government departments and entities are expected to make presentations of their key priority investment projects.
“We need good roads, good infrastructure, good housing for the country for the people to attain their aspirations,” he said.
Dr Banda explained that development is about people benefiting from the fruits of development in various structures of use.
He further appreciated the Arab Contractors Company of Egypt for taking interest to come to Zambia to explore investment opportunities that will be of mutual benefit to both countries.
He encouraged participants to note that the Arab Contractors have capacity to deliver which can be seen from the projects that they have undertaken in 29 countries within and outside the African continent.
And in his presentation, Chinsali Municipal Council Director of Planning Cylus Sichone said Muchinga Province holds investment potential in various sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, livestock, manufacturing and tourism.
Mr Sichone said the province is endowed with a lot of natural resources with each district posing its uniqueness.
“Despite most of the land being under customary tenure, the traditional leadership are ready to make land available to potential investors including through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Mr Sichone added that the province has a youthful workforce that is ready to drive development.
Meanwhile, Arab Contractors Head of Business Development and Strategic Studies Department, Engineer Lubna Elsayed says she is happy to note the potential investment opportunities that the Muchinga is boosting off.
Mr Elsayed in an interview added that investing in Muchinga Province is very profitable hence the need to urgently put modalities in place and start the investment in various sectors.
“I will share the information I have seen here through these presentations with the Arab Contractors chairperson and entire board when we get back to Egypt so that we come back soon and start the projects,” he said.
Among the departments that are currently attending a meeting are from the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Road Development Agency, Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company among others who will also make presentations on their priority areas to the Arab Contractors Company for consideration.
