A development analyst claims putting up a car assembly plant will increase Zambia’s productivity adding that such a move would bring money that can be used to support other sectors of the economy such as Agriculture. He further laments that setting up a car assembly plant would also bring in the much needed foreign exchange in the country, a move he says will move the country a step forward in the development process of the country. A University of Zambia (UNZA) development analyst has called on government to consider opening a vehicle assembly plant.
Speaking with the Lusaka Star in an interview, Brivery Siamabele said putting up a car assembly plant will increase Zambia’s productivity explaining that such a move would bring money that can be used to support other sectors of the economy such as Agriculture.
“You will find that if the cars were assembled locally, they would be cheaper such that even subsistence farmers could afford to buy trucks and such would help them become commercial farmers,” Mr. Siamabele explained.
He lamented that the setting up of a car assembly plant would also bring in the much needed foreign exchange in the country, a move he claims will move the country a step forward in the development process.
“The priority target should be Zambians, but if the supply was more than the demand, then these extra vehicles would be exported to bring in foreign exchange,” he explained.
The development analyst further said if such was done, the country would be forced to increase its technical know-how as there would be need for engineers to do the assembling.
“Because we do not have an assembly plant in Zambia, there are no people knowledgeable in that field. But putting it up would force government to come up with a program that would train assemblers,” he said.
Mr. Siamabele explained that it was very possible for the country to come up with a car assembly citing Livingstone Motor Assembly during Dr. Kenneth Kaunda’s regime as an example.
He said in order for government to establish an assembly plant, there was need to come up with manufacturing factory that will provide the parts needed for vehicle assemblage.
Mr. Siamabele has since called on government to consider establishing a car assembly plant that would help generate revenue for the country through foreign direct investment that would come about due to the exportation of excess cars to other countries.
Government urged to set up car assembly plant
