By JUDITH NAMUTOWE? –

FIRST National Bank (FNB)  and the Zambian International Property (ZIP) Expo and conference  start in Lusaka today to showcase the country’s  property market.
The  two-day expo  whose theme is,  “Get on the Property Ladder!”?being organised by SmartHomes International has drawn  participants from  the real estate and other  sectors of the economy.
Participants are drawn from Knight Frank, Stanbic Bank, Union Gold, Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS), First Quantum Minerals (FQM), Madison General and Zambia Property Owners Association (ZAPOA).
According to a statement issued in Lusaka, the expo will provide a platform for developers, suppliers, transporters, banks, financiers, government agencies, real estate agents as well as building contractors to demonstrate their wares, unveil new products and allow consumers to compare everything under one roof.
The conference portion of the event is designed to provide informational and educational material to the public on the latest developments of the property market in Zambia- and how to participate as investors and owners.
The event came about because of the huge demand for synergy  in the property market.
“As property developers, SmartHomes realised the banks, brokerage houses and fellow developers were operating without cohesion- and consumers were being deprived of information,” the statement said.
The expo has  further  attracted sponsors and exhibitors looking to reach a broader audience.
Property developer and SmartHomes International  chief executive officer  Christopher Jannou said there was a lot of excitement about the Zambian property market at the moment.
“It’s a great time to get on the property  ladder. Prices are still competitive and the banks are becoming more aggressive about lending.
Zambians are beginning to make a lot of money in property investing,” he said.