By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Zambia’s Ambassador to Brazil Alfreda Kansembe says Zambia has the potential to set up a biofuel Industry looking at the ground work done by Policy Makers and stakeholders to support the sector.
Dr Kansembe said that financial Institutions, African Development Bank (ADB), Standard Bank Brazil and others have been supporting African countries in similar projects and are ready to collaborate with Zambia.
She said this in Brasilia during a virtual Meeting held with the Ethanol Cluster Executive Director Flavio Castellari Apla, the Brazilian Investor who has been spearheading the plans to set up a Biofuel Sector in Zambia.
Dr Kasembe said it is gratifying to note that the Zambian Government has taken a proactive approach of involving key stakeholders on the Country’s mission to establish a biofuel Industry in Zambia.
The Zambian Envoy said following the investment meetings held with Brazilian Investors in the Ethanol and Sugar Industry, there is good will from Brazil to facilitate the technology advancement and all the assistance required to set up the industry.
She said the production of biofuels in African Countries is now growing steadily as it offers greater energy security and reduced demand for petroleum which has proved to be costly for most developing countries.
She has further encouraged Zambian farmers to grow more sugarcane and cassava as well as soya beans as the three crops could be helpful for the implementation of the industry.
Ethanol Cluster Executive Director Flavio Castellari Apla assured the Zambian Envoy that his Association has equally engaged a number of International Stakeholders whose responses have been positive over the plans of setting up a biofuel Industry in Zambia.
He also said that Zambia Sugar Company, the major Sugar Producer in Zambia is performing well, but needs more local farmers to commence growing sugarcane on a larger scale in comparison with Brazil and other countries that are using biofuel.
Mr Apla said it is possible for Zambia to set up a Biofuel Industry in the shortest period of time, as he stresses the enormous Economic gains that the country will attain.
This is contained in a statement issued by Grace Makowane First Secretary for Press and Public Relations in the office of Zambian Embassy to Brazil.
