.LUNGU

By JAMES KUNDA –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says Government is reviving the moribund manufacturing industry in Ndola to enhance value addition to raw products from mining and agricultural activities.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has said his Government is implementing policies aimed at mitigating the negative shocks on the economy arising from the global economic slowdown.
Mr Lungu said Government was reigniting the status of Ndola as a manufacturing powerhouse on the Copperbelt to enhance value addition to produce such as maize, and create jobs for the people.
He was speaking in an interview with journalists at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International airport in Ndola yesterday.
“We are working to revive the manufacturing industry here in Ndola to enhance value addition to indigenous produce such as maize and minerals.
“Manufacturing is a proven lifeline for job and wealth creation for our people and this is why our target is to ensure that the industry is running and promoting value addition,” he said.
Mr Lungu cited Metal Fabricators of Zambia (ZAMEFA) in Luanshya and Luena farm bloc in Luapula among companies transforming raw mineral and agricultural produce into finished products.
ZAMEFA produces copper cables while Luena produces sugar for the local and export markets.
Mr Lungu said Ndola had a rich resource of cement and Government had targeted investors to process the mineral into a finished product.
“We have industries such as Dangote which will soon be commissioning and with a ready market, we are assured of benefits through value addition to our local endowment,” he said.
President Lungu said the weakening of the economy was a going global concern and countries within Southern Africa had challenges in maintaining a sound economic status.
“The economy is weakening worldwide; it’s the same thing everywhere you go, be it China or South Africa, the story is the same.
“I and my colleagues are however monitoring the situation and ensuring that we do what we can to maintain a profitable economy for our country,” he said.