By MILDRED KATONGO –

.Malanji

ONE of China’s biggest shoe manufacturing companies has expressed interest to set up a multimillion dollar shoe plant in Zambia that will employ more than 5,000 youths.
Huajian Industries is specialized in manufacturing of various shoes for export mainly to the United States of America (USA), Brazil and Europe.
Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji and his Home Affairs counterpart Steven Kampyongo conducted a tour of Huajian International Light Industry Park in Ethiopia that has employed about 5, 000 youths, mostly local people.
This is according to a statement made available by first secretary press and tourism in Ethiopia Inutu Mwanza.
Speaking after the tour, Mr Malanji said Zambia would support initiatives that would provide employment and uplift the living standard of people.
Mr Malanji expressed happiness that investors considered Zambia as a suitable investment destination.
“The conducive investment polices of Zambia and the county’s economic and political stability are encouraging investors to come to the country. I am happy that the investor has assured our government that the raw materials that will be used for making shoes will be locally sourced,” he said.
He said this would give Zambians an opportunity to partner with the investor who was ready to add value to products locally produced.
Mr Malanji also said the Seventh National Development plan could only be achieved through concerted efforts from all stakeholders.
Mr Kampyongo said the Government was determined to fulfill its promise of providing employment to the youths.
Huajian Shoe Company that has constructed massive infrastructure buildings in Ethiopia produces more than 1200 shoes per day.
The Company owners are expected in Zambia in April for discussions on the investment and that they use local raw materials from animal skin particularly, cattle, sheep and goat.