By CHILA NAMAIKO –
A CONSORTIUM of Indian investors has set up a US$3million casino at the newly constructed Embassy Shopping Mall in Lusaka, employing more than 100 youths.
The grand-opening of the state-of-the-art Emperor Palace Casino, which houses a number of other service facilities, is set for April 15, this year.
A five-member dance crew from India led by famous choreographer Sunil Chetri is already in Zambia showcasing famous Bollywood dances, a mixture of many styles used in Indian movies.
Casino chief executive officer, Jain Kushal hailed Government for continuing to provide an enabling environment that had helped attract foreign investment in key economic sectors.
Mr Kushal said in an interview at the weekend that the creation of the US$3 million casino was as a result of the peaceful and favourable investment atmosphere prevailing in the country.
“We like Zambia, we like the people of this country, and we have so much confidence in this economy, and we remain committed to investing more in the economy of this country,” he said.
Mr Kushal was happy that Government was providing a conducive environment to promote investment and business growth, and pledged to employ more local youths.
Zambia and India enjoy cordial bilateral ties leading to many investors from that country to set up enterprises in the various parts of the country.
He said the coming of the Bollywood dancers from India was aimed at promoting cultural diversity between the two countries in which the dancers would incorporate Zambian songs.
“We want to identify Zambian youths with skills to join the Bollywood dancers, as part of promoting and exchanging cultural diversity between the two countries,” he said.
He said the partnership between the youths from both countries was another way of empowering young people.