The just ended central province Investment forum and Expo in Central province attracted about 2,000 delegates and about 200 local and international exhibitors started.

And president Lungu says government is determined to move the country from being a producer of primary products to a producer of finished products through promotion of value addition.

The Head of State also notes that it would be difficult to attract investment in the country’s 10 provinces without aggressively promoting investment opportunities in the regions.

He says time has come for the country to passionately and aggressively provide platforms that would market and attract both local and foreign investors in the country.

President Lungu urged the private sector to work with Government in the development journey by taking up investment opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, mining and tourism.

“If we are to accelerate investment and achieve sustainable development in our country, it should not be business as usual, it is not possible for investment to come our way without us taking significant steps to unveil and showcase our potential in respective provinces,” he said.

Mr Lungu says Central Province is endowed with various mineral deposits including gold, manganese, silicon, as well as copper which has continued to attract interest from potential investors.

The head of state also revealed that Serenje district alone had attracted more than US $70 million investment in the mining sector which had created over 200 job opportunities in the last five years.

The Kafue National Park, Kansaka National Park as well as the Blue Lagoon presents the region with an opportunity to become Africa’s number one tourism destination.

The Head of State was speaking when he officially opened the Expo at Mulungushi University in Kabwe yesterday.

The Expo which started on Monday comes to an end today with the Kulamba Kubwalo Traditional Ceremony of the Lenje People in Chibombo District.