By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
THE National Technology Business Centre (NTBC) has called for commercialisation of innovative products in the country to boost the economy.
It is concerned that most of the innovations by citizens in the country are not commercialised hence the need for people with innovations to register them with NTBC.
NTBC corporate and marketing officer Francis Chileshe said low product commercialisation was a major concern for the organisation.
“We need more Zambians to come to NTBC to register their innovations so that they are patented, that is how the much needed economic growth can be achieved,” Mr Chileshe said.
He was speaking during the on-going 52nd Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Ndola at the weekend whose theme is “Enhanced Value Addition for Job Creation”.
Mr Chileshe said this year’s theme resonates with the centre whose main emphasis was on job creation through product commercialisation.
He said last year, only four products were rolled out and that few applications had so far been received in the first and second quarter of 2016 for consideration.
Among the products rolled out included multi-processor by Pedigro Multi-processor, a pedal powered equipment capable of grinding corns and nuts into powder as well as being used as a sheller for nuts.
The centre has also registered and approved a fertiliser application Innovation dubbed ‘On-Spot’ developed by a Kalulushi-based innovator Musenga Silwawa.
Disolpit Active 3X, is a powder that reduces the faecal matter in pit latrines and kills water borne bacteria, maggots and flies that could lead to the contamination of humans, was among the four products rolled out.
The other one was a food supplement called Mondie moringa porridge, manufactured using four natural flavours such as maize, peanut, soya beans and millet.
He said NBTC would continue encouraging innovations in many sectors to boost the economy.