. Wina

By KAIKO  NAMUSA –
ENERGY giant Sunbird Bionergy of the United Kingdom (UK) is set to invest in Zambia and boost power production following a successful Trade and Investment Forum attended by Vice-President Inonge Wina in London recently.
Sunbird is building a portfolio of sustainable biofuel projects in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
The Zambian Embassy in London through the first secretary for Press and public relations Abigail Chaponda issued a statement yesterday indicating increasing momentum by investors in energy to come to Zambia.
The Forum was organised by the Developing Markets Associates (DMA) in conjunction with the Zambian High Commission in London.
Ms Wina was accompanied by Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe, Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) director general Patrick Chisanga, senior Government officials and the private sector.
More than 400 UK-based businesses and investors from around the world were in attendance, with sectors such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure and the extractive industry as well as industrialisation being the major focus.
Ms Wina said the meeting was successful and was expecting investors to start setting their investments next year.
Sunbird Bioenergy chief executive officer Richard Bennet informed the embassy that the proposed investment in the energy sector would not only spur economic growth in Zambia but contribute to job creation and energy security as low power continues to threaten economic expansion, a burden not gripping Zambia alone but many countries in the region.
“Zambia is a priority investment for Sunbird Bioenergy, and the investment conference provided a unique forum for us to demonstrate that our value-added agricultural projects will create returns for investors as well as make a significant contribution to Government’s goals or job creation and energy security.
“We were very encouraged by the Vice-President (Ms Wina)’s passionate call for the engagement of British businesses in the development of Zambia’s economy, and we look forward to developing a long-term relationship,” Mr Bennet said.
Business Council for Africa (BCA) chief executive officer Karen Taylor described the investment meeting as a major boost in investor confidence for Zambia.
“The forum achieved its objective of marketing Zambia’s economic potential. The Zambian Government provided a compelling case for Public Private Partnership and sent a clear message that the country was open for business,” she said.
BCA is a leading membership organisation supporting companies and entrepreneurs with business interests in sub-Saharan Africa.