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Zambia has called on China to invest in infrastructure and construction industry, given the country’s natural resources and vast land.
This call was made by Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Mike Mposha at the closure of the 14th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum in Macao, China on Friday.
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Mposha said the general infrastructure development in various areas such as transport including rail, energy, agriculture, technology, water development and sanitation, among others were still below that which could support a growing nation at the desired level of development.
The minister said while developing nations may desire to accelerate the infrastructure development, the issue of financing remained the biggest limitation.
“Zambia still wants to continue to engage with China and some other countries in partnership in infrastructure and construction investment through various financing models such as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Private Public Partnership (PPP) and contracting among others,” said Mposha.
He noted that what had been learnt and shared during the period of the forum and exhibitions, China was one of the countries that they could look up to for partnership not only in the green and sustainable infrastructure investment, but also earning on how to sustainably continue narrowing the infrastructure deficit.
Mposha expressed gratitude that China demonstrated its willingness to share with other countries and invest in green infrastructure and construction.
He stated his delight that many exhibitors showed interest in coming to Zambia and Africa for various infrastructure investments.
The minister also noted how China, in particular, the Macao region was implementing various interventions in mitigating the effects of climate change through water recycling which Zambia could learn from.
He said it was important to maximize every available opportunity including water recycling so that people could have access to adequate clean and safe water.
Contributed by Dorothy Chisi
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