By NCHIMUNYA MIYOBA
The Kitwe District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KDCCI) has proposed that an emerald city should be built at the proposed Mufuchani Industrial Park if the country is to attract investment.
Speaking during the 2nd planning meeting held at the Kitwe Civic Centre, KDCCI President Anthony Kabaghe said the creation of an emerald city at Mufuchani Industrial Park will promote tourism in the district thereby increasing the revenue base for the sector.
Mr Kabaghe proposed that once the city is built, emeralds can be polished and auctioned locally.
“Small industries can cut and add value to the emerald thereby attracting tourism. Zambia being the largest producer of emeralds in the world it has a comparative advantage of promoting the precious stones which in turn can create the much needed jobs.
‘’Let us profile Kitwe and identify one item that we can promote. We have the best emerald in the world. If we add value to the emeralds and start auctioning them locally, we can definitely attract tourism in the district,’’ he said.
And Zambia Institute of Architects representative Thomas Ngoma proposed that copper and Nickel finishing plant should be built at the Mufuchani Industrial Park to produce products that will support the manufacturing and assembly plants.
Mr Ngoma said that a technological assembly plant, research development and innovation centre, waste recycling plant, and food processing centre be set up for the success of the industrial park.
He said there is need to set up a social economic survey of Kitwe city through various consultations with key stakeholders.
Among the stakeholders he mentioned were residents, Economic Association of Zambia, the Kiwe District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Copperbelt University and Ministry of Planning.
Mr Ngoma said the investment policy of the industrial park should encourage manufacturing, value addition to local raw materials and recycling.
Meanwhile Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kang’ombe said there is need to put all the recommended ideas in a document for easier analysis.
