By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –

PORTUGAL has said it plans to import grain from Zambia to meet the growing demand for grain production in that country.
Portugal honorary consul to Zambia, Eric Marques said Zambia was becoming self-sufficient in maize production and was looking at ways of importing some from Zambia.
Mr Marques said Zambia had in the recent years increased its maize and wheat production, thereby making it self-sufficient.
“In view of the increase in grain production in the country, we plan and look forward to importing the commodity from Zambia, especially maize to feed into our production capacities,” he said in an interview in Lusaka.
Mr Marques said Zambia exports copper to that country and there was need to increase exports to Portugal for Zambia to gain more foreign exchange.
He said it was important for Portugal and Zambia to accelerate trade and investments linkages for Zambia to benefit from agro electrical expertise.
“We are assisting Zambia in terms of civil and mechanical engineering. We hope in due course when the agro electric needs increase we will be there to help Zambia… we have the best electrical setup in Portugal that can be of great assistance,” he said.
Mr Marques said a number of Portuguese companies had invested in Zambia and were involved in improving the road infrastructure in the country.
“We have more than 30 Portuguese investors in sectors including mining, agriculture, manufacturing and the road construction owing to the favourable business environment prevailing in the country.
“There are Portuguese investors in the production of asbestos, while others are in the road sector. The road between Luangwa Bridge and Chipata is being done by the Portuguese. We have for a long time been supporting Zambia in various sectors and we want to accelerate this support,” he said.
He also pledged that country’s support to Zambia’s education sector especially promotion of girl-child education.
“Our thrust is towards education of girls, especially now that Portugal has recovered from the economic crisis,” he said.