Ndola Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NDCCI) President has welcomed the recognition of Ndola in the Lobito Corridor as the logistic hub in the country.
Mr Joseph Malisawa said the extension of Lobito corridor to Ndola city has been done to ensure that its prominence as a logistic hub is maintained as it continues to handle over 30 percent of the country’s cargo.
The NDCCI president said in a press release to ZANIS in Ndola that a bilateral meeting was held in Kitwe with European Union delegation led by EU Special Advisor Ambassador to Zambia and COMESA Karolina Stasiak, Head of Unit Peter Handley and Deputy Head of Mission Petra Gasparova is an ongoing European Union Copper Business Forum.
Mr Malisawa pointed out that the European Union has committed to maintain the long standing relationship with Zambia.
He reiterated that the EU underscored the importance of a more integrated approach in improving the Zambian economy through involvement in the copper value chain system.
Mr Malisawa said the meeting centered on value addition to copper, Lobito corridor, infrastructure development and how the partnership will improve people’s livelihood in a sustainable manner.
Mr Malisawa also echoed that the bilateral meeting held on Lobito Corridor will create potential businesses for logistical conduits for raw materials and highlight the opportunities for accessing nontraditional markets.
He said the developmental effects will also be seen in the integrated rail, road and air transport systems.
Mr Malisawa noted that Zambia plays an important role in the Lobito Corridor project that entails the construction of 350 miles of rail line in the southern part of Zambia, along with hundreds of miles of feeder roads linking the country to the global markets through Angola’s port of Lobito.