- President calls for actualisation of Local Content Law
CHOMBA MUSIKA,
PHILIP CHISALU
Lusaka
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has underscored the need for mining companies to give full effect to Local Content Law so that more Zambians can benefit from the sector.
The law requires mining and related companies to prioritise local businesses for goods, services, and contracts.
President Hichilema has used his working visit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to call for actualisation of Local Content Law, which came into effect this year.
Mr Hichilema made the call yesterday in Abu Dhabi, UAE, when he met with Ali Rashed al-Rashdi, chief executive officer of International Resources Holding (IRH), which owns Mopani Copper Mines together with ZCCM IH.
“For our part, we remain committed to ensuring that our natural resources, copper among them, deliver real benefits to our people as we implement the Grow Zambia Agenda,” the President said in a message on his Facebook page.
The head of State added that Mopani Copper Mines will play a critical role in achieving one of Grow Zambia Agenda’s targets of increasing copper production to three million tonnes.
“Raising copper production to three million tonnes a year is central to our Grow Zambia Agenda, and Mopani Copper Mines is key to reaching that target for the benefit of its shareholders and, above all, the Zambian people,” he said.
Mr Hichilema said Government is resolved to deliver the growth agenda through collaboration and partnerships with countries like UAE.
President Hichilema is on a two-day working visit in UAE at the invitation of that country’s President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“Strong international partnerships and more inward investment are crucial to our Grow Zambia Agenda,” Mr Hichilema said in a message on his Facebook page.
“Our focus in Abu Dhabi is to attract investment and promote private sector-led growth by advancing value addition and industrial development. We look forward to a productive two days.”
Meanwhile, Rhoma Foreign Relations Institute has described President Hichilema’s visit to UAE as strategic since Zambia wants to enhance bilateral co operation with countries that share and buy into its national economic interests through trade and investment.
Institute executive director Lengwe Bwalya said the visit is also a deliberate step towards consolidating existing bilateral relations between the two nations.
“This is the first international trip that President Hakainde Hichilema is undertaking since his renewed mandate last month and it is a strategic step towards consolidating existing bilateral trade and investment co-operation between our two nations.” https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
