The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) says the forthcoming Central Province Investment Forum and Expo is set to unveil the huge investment potential that has been hidden in the region for a long time.

ZDA Director General Perry Mapani has commended the Provincial administration for the ingenuity shown in coming up with the idea of the Expo aimed at raising the investment prospects for the 12 districts.

The Expo will run from October 8 to 13 under the theme ‘Accelerating investment for inclusive and sustainable development’.

“Central Province has been a hidden gem for a long time; from my briefs, I have come to appreciate the diverse nature of the investment projects subsisting in the region which carter and cut across so many sectors and have the potential to change the face of the province,” Mr Mapani said.

He says ZDA will work closely with the provincial administration to ensure that it harnessed the potential of these investments by facilitating the packaging of the projects, to make them attractive and ripe for investment.

“In addition, the ZDA as an institution which is a conduit used in the dispensing of incentives, will give appropriate advice on the projects that qualify for fiscal as well as non-fiscal incentives,” he said.

And Chief Chamuka in Chisamba district says traditional leaders in the region have welcomed the Expo because it promoted inclusive development that will create job opportunities and reduce poverty in the chiefdoms.

“In this regard, we urge our people to stand up and claim their position; we also encouraging our people with money to attend the Expo in October and participate in wealth creation and help reduce poverty,” he said.