Vice-President Inonge Wina says local authorities and their stakeholders on the Copperbelt Province should pass by-laws which will promote local economic development and attract investment in the region.

In a speech read on her behalf by National Development Planning Minister Alexander Chiteme, Vice-President Wina also expressed confidence that the investment expo would expose and open up relatively new and unknown districts in the province.

“I am delighted to see how you have aligned your Investment Expo to the Seventh National Development Plan. This has been clearly spelt out in the way you have framed the theme for the Expo which is ‘Broadening the Copperbelt economy through diversified Investment. Your areas of focus for investment also marries well with the sectors of focus at national level. This also includes your expected outcome of the Expo that is diversification, job creation and poverty reduction,” Vice-President Wina said.

She said urged investors in the province to feel free to engage government on any policies which they felt could affect businesses.

Vice-President Wina advised Local Authorities in the province to pass by-laws that promote local economic development and attract investment.

“I call upon the local authorities, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, our Royal Highnesses and all other service providers to be well prepared to offer the necessary support to our would-be investors. Let not bureaucracy and red-tape make us lose out on investment from our investors. Where appropriate, strategize and make it easy for the investors to set camp,” said Vice-President Wina.

Vice-President Wina also said the Copperbelt Investment Expo was expected to spread development to Lufwanyama, Mpongwe and Masaiti districts as well as enhance partnerships and linkages with local entrepreneurs through joint ventures and Private Public Partners.