More than a hundred companies have confirmed their participation at the 2018 Central Province Investment Forum and Expo which will showcase investment opportunities in the various sectors of the economy in the province.
120 youths are earmarked to be trained in various entrepreneurship courses during the Investment Forum and Expo.
Central Province Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kabwe said out of the 132 companies that have so far confirmed to exhibit and participate at the Investment Forum and Expo; 51 are foreign companies while the rest are locally based.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Kabwe said the organising committee expects a total of 500 companies to attend the event which will be held at Mulungushi University from 8 to 13 October 2018 under the theme: “Accelerating Investment for Inclusive and Sustainable Development”.
Mr. Kabwe said 391 out of a total of 500 individual delegates expected at the expo have also confirmed their attendance.
“The good number of companies and delegates who have shown interest to come and participate at the expo is a good sign that we are moving towards achieving the goals that we have set for this event …. currently we are remaining with very few stands so for those who ahve not made up their minds to come should do so before these remaining stands run out,” Mr. Kabwe said.
Mr. Chanda has allayed fears of shortage of accommodation for those traveling for the event saying the province has enough bed space to accommodate all the delegates.
“we have enough numbers of bed spaces and we have conducted a census the rooms and there is nothing to worry about we have engaged people in the hospitality industry, the hotels and lodge owners and there is nothing to worry about,” Mr. Kabwe said.
meanwhile, Mr. Kabwe has commended companies and individuals that have contributed financial and material resources towards the hosting of the expo.
“The response from cooperating partners has been very positive…we have several companies from within and outside that have come on board… this support will go a long way to ensure the successful staging of this historical event,” Mr. Kabwe said.
And Mr. Kabwe has revealed that 120 youths will be trained in entrepreneurship free of charge during the Investment Forum and Expo.
Mr. Kabwe said the youths who will be drawn from all the 12 districts of the province will be trained through a youth symposium that will run on the sidelines of the Expo.
He said the youths will receive entrepreneurship courses in agriculture and trade upon which they will be empowered with seed implements and land to start-up entrepreneurial activities in their respective districts.
“During the expo we are training 10 youths from each district in entrepreneurship free of charge and we are giving these youths land such that those who are interested in fish farming we are going to give them fish ponds and fingerlings to start their own enterprises,” Mr. Kabwe said.