Lungu calls for skills transfer in International Conference facility construction
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has directed Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Vincent Mwale to work closely with China Jiangsu the contractor of the International Conference facility and ensure that local participation was present.
President Lungu said once this was done it would ensure knowledge and skills transfers between the contractor and local small scale contractors was achieved.
President Lungu said this during the ground breaking ceremony of the ultra-modern International Conference facility being constructed at the cost of US$60 million in Lusaka yesterday.
"I want to encourage the contractor to ensure there is skills transfer and capacity building of local Zambians involved at all levels," he said.
President Lungu also urged the contractor to procure as much materials from local suppliers as possible to contribute to the local Gross Domestic Product.
He said the construction phase of the facility would create up to 500 direct jobs and 1000 indirect jobs through the supply of construction and related services.
He said the international conference center would also create 60 permanent jobs once completed.
President Lungu said the International Conference center would host the 39 African Union Head of State's government summit in 2022. He also urged the Contractor China Jiangsu to work expeditiously to ensure the project is delivered on time with highest standard and quality befitting the summit.
And Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Vincent Mwale said the construction of the International conference Center was government's desire to ensure that the country successfully hosts the African Union Heads of State summit in 2022.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji said the groundbreaking ceremony underscores the importance of the bilateral relationship between Zambia and China.
And Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie said the ultra-modern facility would be the second largest in Africa with the scale of 24 square meters offering capacity of over 4000 seats within the facility.