KELLY NJOMBO, Lusaka
NORTHERN Province Permanent Secretary Hlobota Nkunika has urged Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to consider setting up an office in the province to attract new investment.
Mr Nkunika said Northern Province has the potential to develop various sectors but, lack of access to ZDA services by investors has undermined the economic potential of the province.
He said this during the commissioning of the 2015 operational projects of the Desilo Veterinary and Agro Services, the Northern Province Co-operative Marketing Union Limited and the proposed site for the industrial yard by the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) recently.
CEEC commissioned two soya bean value chain projects in Kasama worth about K1 million to help boost the production of edible oils and stock feeds.
“In Northern Province, we do not have the presence of ZDA. As such, the business community has continued to complain that they are finding it very expensive to conduct business, as well as to attract further investment in the district,” he said.
Mr Nkunika said with increased investment in various sectors, this could help in the creation of jobs and wealth, thereby reducing poverty.
He said Kasama has the potential to increase food availability but there is need for CEEC to continue engaging farmers in developmental projects that will help increase production.