By Staff Writer
Zambia’s Ambassador to Turkey Joseph Chilengi has called on Turkish companies to invest in Zambia’s agro-processing industry to add value to agricultural products.
Dr Chilengi said Zambia is working on developing the agro-processing industry to add value to the abundant agricultural products through acquisition of advanced technologies.
He was speaking during a visit to Gemak Food Industry Machinery, a manufacturer of agro-processing equipment located in the Ankara Chamber of Industry 2nd Industrial Zone.
Gemak, which was established in 1986 deals in mechanical installation of diary plants and manufactures agro-processing equipment for fruit juices and milk products.
“Currently the agro-processing and manufacturing industry contributes about 11 percent to Zambia’s Gross Domestic Product and with increased investment, it is hoped that the sector can contribute more to the economy and bring about employment creation,” Dr Chilengi said.
He cited limited access to appropriate technology, limited capacity to maintain existing technologies and failure by locally processed products to compete with imports as some of the constraints to the development and growth of agro industrial enterprises in Zambia.
Dr Chilengi said Government under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu had placed agriculture on top of its development agenda with the sector contributing 13 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He said Government was now diversifying from primary agriculture into agro-processing.
“The agro-processing sector basically provides an opportunity for small-scale producers to engage in small scale enterprises in Zambia,” Dr Chilengi said.
Gemak Food Industry Machinery Factory Manager, Selim Baran said the company would soon undertake a business mission to Zambia and also explore the possibility of participating in various Business and Investment Expos in the country.
This is according to a media stamen made available to The Independent Observer by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in Turkey Jerry Munthali.
