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Govt calls for private sector partnerships as TATA Intra V20 is launched

• Partnerships with the private sector are key to driving government’s development agenda.
• Government is also working towards championing policy direction.
• TATA V20 Intra is a demonstration of partnerships to develop SMEs in Zambia

Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development says private sector partnerships are key to developing SMEs in the country.
Speaking during the launch of TATA Intra V20 truck TATA Zambia, Elias Mubanga said government is committed to establishing a stable and predictable policy environment to accommodate all SMEs and provide business development services.

Mr. Mubanga stated that government is also working towards championing policy direction and will work with Tata Zambia as a partner to develop the SME sector because efficient transportation is important for the country.

“The TATA V20 Intra we are launching today is a demonstration of the partnerships we need to develop Small and Medium Enterprises in Zambia. Partnerships with the private sector are key to driving the development and empowerment agenda of the government.”

“Zambia is a fast-growing economy; therefore, efficient transportation is important. The buyer out there is waiting for goods and services to be delivered on time. I wish to encourage our SMEs to use this opportunity to grow their businesses,” Mr. Mubanga said.

He noted that most SMEs in the country have a challenge in affording financing services, therefore, the need for the private sector to come up with initiatives and formulate models that will make business players have access and buy the vehicles.
“As we launch the V20 Intra Unit today i urge you to deliberately come up with a package for SMEs to help them acquire maintenance skills. Skills training will give our people the right mindset to sustain their businesses,” he stated.

Speaking at the same event, India’s High Commissioner to Zambia Ashok Kumar disclosed that his country is the fifth largest trading partner for Zambia and total trade between the two nations was 1.1 billion US dollars in 2019 to 2020, but substantially declined due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“India has been contributing financially and economically for the development of Zambia by supporting its economic development, nation building and also capacity building.”

“There is tremendous potential for growth of business and trade between the two countries,” he noted.

And Tata Head of Auto Business for Zambia and Malawi Sudhanshu Taneja states that the company started its journey of Africa from Zambia in 1977 and has coverage in more than 12 African countries with more than 600 employees.

“Group turnover last year was 110+ billion USD and has more than 600,000 employees with strong integrity and values structure as their backbone. It’s been 44 years now, we have been serving Zambian people with our products & services,” Mr. Taneja stated.

Meanwhile, Tata Africa Holdings Executive Director Niraj Srivastav is confident that the launched Tata intra V20 is ideally suited for Zambia.

“We are confident that the Intra will be highly appreciated by the customers and redefine the market in Zambia,” Mr. Srivastav said.

The new-generation small commercial vehicle, the Intra range comes in two variants which are V10 and V20.

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