A US$3.5mn motor vehicle assembly plant will be constructed in Lusaka, Zambia, by Chinese motor brand GONOW
The GONOW motor plant, to be operated under a franchise owned by local entrepreneur Gerald Makungu, will attempt to position the country as a manufacturing hub in the region, according to Zambian commerce, trade and industry permanent secretary Stephen Mwansa.
"The establishment of the plant is a milestone in the development of the motor industry in Zambia," stated Mwansa at the launch of GONOW Zambia Limited in Lusaka.
"Being a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), the GONOW vehicles are guaranteed of a market in the regional blocs with a population of more than 600mn," he added.
The acquisition of the Chinese-based franchise by a local entrepreneur further solidifies the bilateral ties between Zambia and China, Mwansa noted.
"Zambia admires the achievements made by China and it is for this reason that government shall continue to dialogue with China in the area of investment-related issues," said Mwansa.
Makungu added that the plant to be located in the Lusaka East Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) planned to assemble around 10 GONOW x-Space double cabs per day and projects to assemble about 18,000 units annually.
Nawa Mutumweno
