Zambian envoy woos Turkish investors
TURKISH investors should participate in housing estates development projects under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) to cushion the deficit in the country, Zambia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Joseph Chilengi has said.
Dr Chilengi said the country had a housing deficit of 1.3 million units, which could rise to three million by 2030 if not addressed. “As a country, we have opened up new districts which require housing units and Zambia National Building Society is looking for partners, so this project is available for participation by the Turkish private sector,” Dr Chilengi said.
The envoy made the remarks during a special presentation at an event co-organised by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) and Bodrum Chamber of Commerce in Turkey’s port city of Bodrum yesterday.
The discussion themed “Business opportunities for the Turkish exporters in the African market” focused on economic relations between Turkey and Africa, especially in the construction and tourism sectors.
He said Turkey had successfully implemented a robust social and low-income housing model from which Zambia and the entire African continent could benefit through partnership with the Turkish private sector.
He also said Zambia had other PPP projects available for investment in energy, agriculture, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), hotels, road construction and railway system. Dr Chilengi said by investing in Zambia, Turkish companies would also be tapping into the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) markets with a population of over 600 million.
On opportunities in Africa, Dr Chilengi said all the 55 member states of the African Union (AU) had a common agenda to construct and overhaul infrastructure such as roads, airports, railway systems, schools and hospitals.
He said Africa provided immense opportunities for investment by Turkish companies in the construction sector.
This is contained in a statement issued by First Secretary at Zambia’s embassy in Turkey Jerry Munthali.