By CHATULA KANGALI –
THE Luanshya Business Association has called for investment in value-addition industries to improve the economic growth of the district that has depended on mining for a long time.
Association executive secretary Paul Thera said in an interview that there was need for value-addition industries especially in agro-processing to be set up in the districts.
He said the  town had  for a long  time been depending on the mine for jobs  and businesses and that  it  was time  for  the  district to have  other industries   in value addition.
“We  have  for a  long time  depended on the  mine  for  jobs and business, now that  the  local mining company has scaled  down operation, the  business  community  has  been negatively affected, we  want to have  other  industries especially in agro  processing and textiles  to be set up,” he said.
Mr Thera called  on the Government  to empower small and medium businesses  in the  district with  capital to start  up  and expand  businesses in the area.
He said that  the  district had a number  of trained entrepreneurs in different fields  that were not active due  to lack of  capital and employment.
Mr Thera called on Government to consider reviving operation at Serioes International, a once active garment manufacturing company in the country.
He  said  that  the revival of  the  company would  help reduce  the import  of  textiles and  create  jobs  for the  locals.
“ Serioes  International which  is currently  defunct  was  one  of the  major  employer  in Luanshya. We want Government to  revive the  company and engage local entrepreneurs  to  run the company,” he said.
Mr Thera said the association had  sent  recommendations to  the Ministry of Commerce  on the  revival  of Serioes International  and the  possible setting up  of  other industries  in district.