•THOUSANDS of people attended the official opening of Mukuba Mall last week. Picture By GETHSEMANE MWIZABI

By MILDRED KATONGO –

THE multi-million dollar Mukuba Mall, which opened its doors to the public Thursday, has brought more life to Kitwe.
The mall, viewed as one of the largest in Zambia, has brought pride among the residents of Kitwe and the Copperbelt Province at large.
Not long ago, Kitwe residents used to travel all the way to Lusaka to do their shopping, but now that is a thing of the past because the mall is right at their door-step.
People have been flocking to the place to shop and catch a glimpse of the beautiful mall.
A visit at night would make one lose direction because the mall is majestic, not only from the inside but outside too.
The US$45.5million investment has also attracted people from outside the Copperbelt.
Some residents have welcomed President Edgar Lungu’s directive to have local produce and products
included on the shelves on big malls in the country.
Ben Daka, a Kitwe resident, said the call by the President is timely and should be embraced by all well-meaning investors.
Mr Daka said it was time Zambians were given space in the big retail outlets, adding that small-scale
entrepreneurs would have a chance to boost their businesses.
He said traders in the country have the potential to produce more local products once they are given the necessary space in the emerging retail outlets.
During the official opening of the mall, Mr Lungu noted with concern the minimal and even decreasing representation of Zambian businesses in the high-end retail spaces and shopping malls.
Mr Lungu said all mall developers and operators should encourage and include more local products and services on their shelves.
He urged all commercial developers to partner with Government in actualising the policy in the high-end retail industry and commercial spaces.
“My Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission, is currently working on a policy that will protect and support the growth of local participation in all economic sectors,” the President said.