GOVT’S CALL FOR DIALOGUE OVER KALUMBILA MFEZ DESIGNATION WELCOMED
By Patricia Male
First Quantum Minerals –FQM- has welcomed government’s decision to engage the mining firm in dialogue to designate the long-awaited Kalumbila Multi-Facility Economic Zone –MFEZ-.
Zambia’s largest taxpayer believes that once operational, the economic zone will bring about enhancement of local supplier competitiveness, not just in Kalumbila district, but in North-Western Province and beyond.
First Quantum has invested over $90 million in planning and development of Kalumbila town and the MFEZ application has been awaiting approval through a statutory instrument that will enable Kalumbila town to realize its long-sought-after economic growth potential.
Speaking during the Economic Transformation Conference hosted by the Zambia Association of Manufacturers –ZAM- recently, President Hakainde Hichilema said that his government would give support to the economic zones because they add value.
And FQM Country Manager General Kingsley Chinkuli said the designation of the Kalumbila Industrial Park as an MFEZ would enhance trade and job creation in North-Western Province while also promoting the area as an attractive foreign investment destination.
General Chinkuli noted that stalling the approval of the long-awaited license of the Kalumbila MFEZ and removal of most of the original incentives under MFEZ came at the expense of investors like FQM who are ready to invest in infrastructure that would support the expansion of the $2 billion Sentinel Mine.
He has urged government to treat the matter with the urgency it deserved and expedite the approval process as a sign of good faith to investors and the Zambian people.
PHOENIX NEWS
The post GOVT’S CALL FOR DIALOGUE OVER KALUMBILA MFEZ DESIGNATION WELCOMED appeared first on Phoenix FM.