Cape Town – Wednesday 17th July 2024
Government says it is improving the country’s transport infrastructure to facilitate regional integration and enhance trade.
Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi says this is being done through the construction and rehabilitation of the road network, rail lines and aviation infrastructure through the Public – Private Partnership (PPP) model of financing infrastructure development.
Hon. Milupi was speaking during a panel discussion at the ongoing Infrastructure Africa Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. He notes that projects like the African unionโs trans-African highways are key in connecting the continent.
Hon. Milupi said improved infrastructure can increase trade flows and in turn promote economic growth.
He says Infrastructure Africa will connect industry stakeholders, foster dialogue, provide leading-edge information, promote investment and expansion, as well as facilitate business development around Africa’s growth and infrastructure needs.
He believes the conference has provided the platform to connect with infrastructure professionals at Infrastructure Africa, gain access to share knowledge and ideas, as well as access to infrastructure project opportunities.
He says Africa has the potential to trade within itself because there is an adequate market.
The Minister said the Government wants to actualize Zambiaโs geo-political location of being a land-linked country to enhance regional integration by developing alternative corridors to the sea and international markets.
And in a keynote address and official opening of the Infrastructure Africa conference, South Africa’s Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson called on Africa to work together.
Others in attendance were Zambia’s Deputy High Commissioner Inonge Mwenya who was representing Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Ms Mazuba Monze and Trust Hamaleka from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development.
This mis contained in a statement issued by First Secretary Press and Public Relations at Zambiaโs High Commission in South Africa Tamara Nyirenda.
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