By KENNEDY MUPESENI-

THE Lusaka South Multi-facility Economic Zone (LS-MFEZ) is currently scouting for a dry port developer and has since asked for the expression of interests from investors.
The economic zone will lease out 15 hectares of land to inland dry port developer which will be renewable every after 40 years.
Business development officer Joseph Kalumbi  said  that the LS-MFEZ has floated bids for a dry port developer,  which would run up to November 20, 2015.
“Regarding the inland port development, we have advertised in the papers for investors to express interest and short listing will commence after the 20th this month,” Mr Kalumbi said.
He was speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Kalumbi was optimistic the construction of the inland port would kick-start in January so that by June next year the port will start operating.
The port will house the Zambia Revenue Authority, Immigrations, Zambia Bureau of Standards, and a one stop shop for clearing and storage of goods.
Mr Kalumbi said the facility would also used as a major logistical centre for various goods and services for the companies, individuals and organisations that would  be operating in the MFEZ.
The MFEZ will be getting about K50, 000 as lease fees per hectare which will be substantial considering the number of hectares which will be leased out.
The investor is expected to put in place robust transport system, reliable warehousing such as containers, as well as other modern
clearing equipment to meet specifications set by the Government through the MFEZ.
Companies and individuals transporting goods and services in and out of the MFEZ will be cleared ,certified and approved at the facility which will an extra incentive for operating in the MFEZ.
He said this was expected to attract a lot of investors who wanted to avoid congestion in the central business district and at borders in terms of clearing of goods and services as all the services would be available at the port.