By ESTHER NG’ANDU –
THE Government says it is optimistic that the planned twinning of Luapula Province with Zhejiang Province of China will foster the economic development of the area.
Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa said Government’s good policies and accommodative environment had yielded fruitful partnerships between Zambia and China, demonstrated in infrastructure development.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mr Chilangwa said following a successful meeting with Zambia’s ambassador to China Winnie Chibesakunda on plans to twin the two provinces, Government was in no doubt that Luapula and the country at large could benefit from the arrangement.
The minister added that the province was earmarked for unprecedented development with economic opportunities opening up for young people.
He said the programme would go a long way to developing into a modern province.
“Our role and goal as a Government is to transform provinces, districts and the lives of the Zambian people. Such a partnership with the outside is welcome and has the ability to help us realise our plans,” he said.
He said it was encouraging to Government that China had emphasised on the need to integrate local people into any projects being carried out in the province, a sign that the Chinese Government wanted to see Zambians living a better life.
