EAZ COURTS INDIAN INVESTORS

ECONOM ICS Association of Zambia (EAZ) says it will participate in the two-day India-in-Zambia Business forum organised on the sidelines of President Edgar Lungu’s official visit to India.

According to the statement issued by EAZ head of communication, Tendia Posiana, said preliminary meetings have been held with various Indian business people interested in setting up green field investments in Zambia.

Ms Posiana said some Indian investors had expressed interest in setting up businesses in the agriculture, mining, pharmaceuticals, textile industry, light and heavy manufacturing sectors.

Ms Posiana said other than the EAZ, Zambia was also represented by over 80 prominent small and medium scale enterprises, large business owners and other captains of industry.

According to the statement, EAZ president, Lubinda Haabazoka, would tomorrow present a lecture on investment opportunities in Zambia arranged by the Department of African Studies at the University of Delhi.

Ms Posiana said the association wished to commend various stakeholders, including government for making such an event possible at a time when Zambia was competing with other countries for Foreign Direct Investment.

“We also wish to state that the willingness by Indian investors to open green fields in the mining sector is a good indicator of investor confidence as the country tries to ensure that Zambian citizens benefit from mineral resources,” she said

Ms Posiana said EAZ expressed happiness that the Zambian government had continued to side with the people on the KCM issue.

“As EAZ, we believe that we are on course in terms of ensuring that Zambians benefit from the mining industry by engaging responsible investors that understand the country’s vision 2030 aimed at bringing development to all Zambians without leaving anyone behind,” she said.