• President Edgar Lungu receives a gift from Evelyn Chipili of Ever Pro as Luapula Province Minister Nixon Chilangwa (l) looks on during the tour at the Luapula Expo and Investment exhibition in Mansa – Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza

By KENNEDY MUPESENI in Luapula and JAMES KUNDA in Lusaka –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has said the Luapula Expo has placed the region on a path of anticipated massive development that will transform the lives of the people in the province and beyond.
Mr Lungu said the event had set Luapula, one of the least developed areas of the country, as a significant marketplace for investment and trade to increase economic productivity through value-addition.
President Lungu said that modern production technology, market access and business linkages created during the event would enhance the capacities of women and youths to contribute effectively to the economic development of the province through market linkages.
“Luapula will never again look back because it is destined for massive development aimed at transforming the lives of the people of this province and the nation as a whole,” the Head of State said.
President Lungu was speaking during the official opening of the inaugural Luapula Expo and Investment Conference in Mansa yesterday.
The occasion was being held under the theme: ‘Linking investors to Luapula Province to unlock the economic potential’.
The President said he was impressed with this home-grown initiative by the Luapula provincial administration to organise the event, a feat which had opened doors for greater investments into the region.
He urged the investors present at the event to explore various investment opportunities available in seven priority sectors of the region, namely, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, livestock, energy, mining and tourism as well as infrastructure development.
Mr Lungu said Zambia was blessed with abundant resources, hence the need to unlock the economic potential in every corner of the country by spreading activities similar to the Luapula Expo to other regions.
The Head of State stressed the need for the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry to expedite the roll-out of multi-facility economic zones to boost investment inflows in the country.
President Lungu said he was focusing his efforts at consolidating the economic gains that the country was making to ensure that the progress translated in real life gains for the majority of Zambians.
He said the implementation of the Seventh National Development Plan would result in other key development outcomes such as enhanced human development and creation of an enabling governance and investment environment.
President Lungu was, however, worried about the slow pace at which economic zones are moving, and has instructed relevant authorities to quicken the process to boost investment inflows in the country.
“I am not happy with the slow pace at which the Multifacility Economic Zones (MFEZ) are being implemented,” Mr Lungu said.

“There is need to quicken the process. Honourable Chilangwa (Luapula Province minister) and Honourable Mwanakatwe (Commerce minister), expedite the process of the full establishment of Chembe MFEZ to attract more investments.”
President Lungu said there was need to create a viable platform for the private sector to thrive.
“We have talked a lot, I would like to see more vibrant value-addition. So economic zone are better-based to encourage economic development,” he said
After the official opening, President Lungu toured several stands where he interacted with the exhibitors and encouraged them to continue enhancing their entrepreneurial skills.
Among the stands visited by the Head of State were Trade Kings Zambia Limited and Kaizen International Zambia.