Zambia targets $1bn indian investment
By Business Reporter
ZAMBIA is this year targeting to get up to US$1billion from India in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and from Indians living in Zambia.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said of the $1 billion, about $500 million was projected to come from Indians living in Zambia and the other half through FDI from Indian investors.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting with Indian business community under the Indian Business Council of Zambia (IBCZ), Mr Mutati said Zambia’s biggest investment partner was India currently standing at more than US$3 billion.
He said that unlike most large-scale investors in the country, Indian investors were involved in manufacturing and value addition to raw materials.
Indian investors, the minister said, were not just leaders in exporting Zambia’s main foreign currency earner, but were also well ahead in the Non-Tradition Exports (NTEs) sector.
“India is Zambiaís biggest investment partner. Indian nationals both inside and outside the country have contributed massively to the economic development of Zambia and investment is well in excess of $3billion,” he said.
Mr Mutati said that Zambia had seen India’s heavy investment in mining and telecommunication besides being the leaders in the manufacturing industry.
Among India’s landmark investment in Zambia are Vedanta Resources, operating Konkola Copper Mine (KCM), Bharti Airtel and Trade Kings.
He said Indian firms had created up to 50,000 jobs for Zambians.
He said the Government wanted investors that would create opportunities for Zambians and connect more with the community. Indians had provided concessional loans to Government of $25 milliona and a grant of US$ 5 million.
And IBCZ chairperson Ashock Kumar expressed excitement at the relationship that existed between Indians and Zambians both at the community and Government levels.
Mr Kumar, who is Indian High Commissioner to Zambia, said India would continue to invest in Zambia.
He said his country would creat opportunities for more investment, highlighting the EXIM Bank Conclave exhibitions as one. The EXIM Bank Conclave exhibitions sees Zambian entrepreneurs’ exhibit at the India Fair in New Delhi and the seventh edition of the fair would be held next month.
“Since we started the EXHIM Bank conclave exhibition seven years ago, trade between Zambia and India has increased by up to 40 per cent and we are committed to more investment and links with Indian manufacturing sectors,” Mr Kumar said.
lien :http://www.times.co.zm/news/viewnews.cgi?category=11&id=1296808439