By Beatrice Chabaya
Czechia’s Deputy Prime Minister Marian Jurecka says his government is ready to provide technological support and development assistance to Zambia.
Speaking when led a delegation of Czech officials who paid a courtesy call on livestock and fisheries minister Peter Kapala and other ministry officials in Lusaka on Tuesday, Jurecka called on the minister to clearly outline the ministry’s specific development needs and cooperation priorities to develop the livestock and fisheries sector.
He highlighted their strategic interest in Zambia, noting that their national strategy extends to 2030 and includes potential collaboration in agriculture, food processing, and other key sectors.
Jurecka added that they are particularly interested in supporting Zambia’s ambitious livestock expansion plan, which aims to increase livestock numbers to 7 million by 2027.
And Kapala said his ministry is facing several critical challenges, with the current low cattle calving rate of just 28% significantly hindering the country’s target of having 7.4 million cattle by 2027.
Kapala said the ministry needs urgent support in improving breeding techniques, particularly in embryo transfer technology.
Meanwhile, the Czech delegation toured the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone (LS-MFEZ) on Monday and announced plans to develop a new Central Business District (CBD) within its premises.
The Czech government expressed interest in investing in the economic zone, saying the investment will not just benefit the investors but Zambians at large, boost the local economy and creating new opportunities for growth and development.
And LS-MFEZ Commercial and Marketing Director, Masauso Mwenda, said despite having an already existing CBD, the LS-MFEZ intends to build a better-structured and less congested one.
“The new CBD we want to build here will have everything that the Cairo Road CBD has, but better, with better infrastructure and offices,” Mwenda said.
He added that the idea is to have a modern central business district, offering better services than what was currently available.
“It is for this reason that the LS-MFEZ is calling for investment, both foreign and local, so that the CBD can be built,” Mwenda stressed.
“The CBD will take on a serene green field with aesthetic decoration of vegetation, bird sounds from the bird sanctuary, and the park walk and cycle lanes, all creating an ambient feel of serenity. The area is a no-car zone, with walking and cycling, and a diverse energy mix to power the entire CBD.”