By HOPE BWALYA –

GOVERNMENT has called on Norwegian entrepreneurs to invest in Zambia.
Deputy Minister in the office of the Vice-President Lazarus Bwalya said Norwegian investors should take advantage of the friendly investment environment that the country has created and invest.
Mr Bwalya was speaking on Monday at the Norwegian Embassy during that country’s National Day celebrations which fell on May 17.
“My Government calls on Norwegian entrepreneurs and companies to take advantage of the enabling investment environment that our country has created by considering getting into joint venture projects with Zambian entrepreneurs and other existing businesses,” he said.
Mr Bwalya, who is Lupososhi Member of Parliament, said increased investment by Norway in sectors such as health, tourism, mining, agriculture and construction, would be mutually beneficial to both countries.
The deputy minister thanked Norway for its continued commitment in supplementing the Zambian Government’s efforts especially in the fight against poverty and inequality.
“Zambia recognises that Norway has continued to share common interests in areas such as the fight against poverty and inequality, both at bilateral and multilateral levels,” he said.
Norwegian Ambassador Arve Ofstad said his Government hopes that Zambia will find an amicable way of dealing with contentious issues regarding the Constitution.
Mr Ofstad said it is the people and Government of Zambia that are in the driving seat of the Constitution-making process.
“I repeat that it is the people and Government of Zambia that will decide what Constitution the country needs, and when to make changes. We do hope that you will find a way to agree on the remaining contentious issues and make the necessary changes if need be, so that your new Constitution will maintain and protect and even extend universal principles of human rights, democracy and equal opportunities for all,” he said.
Mr Ofstad said the universal principles include freedom of speech, the right to organise and assemble and the right of access to public information.
He also appealed to Zambians to apply climate smart conservation farming.
Mr Ofstad said in the year of erratic and too little rains like last season, there is need for such type of conservation farming.
He said climate smart conservation agriculture assisted secure more moisture in the soils and gave a good yield as compared to the traditional farming which most people where still using.