Lusaka, Zambia – MINISTER of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga has described the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) as the Engine of the Zambian economy.

Speaking during a familiarization tour of ZDA, Mr. Mulenga urged the Agency to intensify investment promotion, both local direct investment and foreign direct investment as well as export promotion.

He observed that the country was in dire need of new investments and increased exports for job and wealth creation.

Mr. Mulenga disclosed that government was in a hurry to bring development, create jobs, provide social amenities and elevate the living standards of all Zambians.

He pledged government’s commitment to creating a conducive and enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Mr. Mulenga implored ZDA to hold the investors accountable by ensuring that pledged investments were actualized.

He appealed to the Agency to promote as much as possible, local investors considering that they do not externalize their profits but invest within the country.

Mr. Mulenga assured ZDA Management that he would look into the Agency’s funding problems urging ZDA to optimize the meagre resources at its disposal, to discharge its functions with excellence.

And at the same event, ZDA Board Chairperson Bishop David Masupa who thanked the Minister for his visit, bemoaned the funding challenges that bedevilled the Agency explaining that it negatively affected the Agency’s performance and operations.

Meanwhile, ZDA Director General Mukula Makasa said the Agency was ready to align its priorities to the policies and aspirations of the New Dawn Government.

Mr. Makasa said top on the Agency’s Agenda was Decentralization, taking ZDA’s services to all the ten provinces of Zambia. Currently, ZDA offices are only in Lusaka, Eastern and Southern Provinces.

He appealed to the Minister to consider looking into the ZDA Bill in order to improve the performance of the Agency.                                                  

-Ends

Issued by:

Laura Mushaukwa Hamusute

Communications and Public Relations Manager

Zambia Development Agency

Privatization House, Nasser Rd

Lusaka

Telephone: +260-211-220177/222858

Email: laura.mushaukwa.hamusute@zda.org.zm