Government has challenged the business community in Ndola on the Copperbelt to return the city into a cathedral of industries like it used to be.

Minister of Works and Supply Felix Mutati says a company that does not make money is a danger to the Zambia Revenue Authority and to the reduction of debt by the Zambian Government.

Speaking during the Ndola Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2018 Gala Dinner in Ndola, Mr. Mutati is confident that the business community in the city is determined to turn around the wheels of industry by making the existing warehouses start manufacturing products.

Mr. Mutati said he sees the Chamber as an instrument that connects the industry in partnership with Government for the purpose of finding new ways of solving the challenges that Government faces.

He said in order to change, the business community should abandon the mindset of business as usual and adopt the concept of resolving whatever challenges the country may face.

Mr. Mutati said this is through innovative thinking as it is key to turning the fortunes of the country into a successful story that will help stop the debt conversation going on currently and that it is possible if the business community rose to the challenge.

The Minister who was guest of honour called on the business community to help government reduce the debt burden by being compliant on taxes if it can be elevated to 80 percent the country will be able to pay off its debts once the business community respond to compliance.

He said at Ministry of Works and Supply, it is believed that it is a small drop that makes a ripple hence the move to enhance the crusade on the control of the use of government vehicles which has enabled government save over K400 million since the exercise started.

Mr. Mutati also added that his ministry has embarked on an initiative of constructing office space through the use of the private public partnership approach without engaging in debt adding that this is one way of turning the fortunes of the country.

He said while it is accepted that good things come to those who wait but better things come to those who go out and get them.

Mr. Mutati said Government is doing a lot of work as can be seen through the massive construction works going on such as the new international airport in Ndola, the dual carriage way from Lusaka, electricity power construction all meant to elevate the national economy and create a conducive business environment.

He believes that working with the private sector is the sure solution to resolving the fiscal challenges the government is facing and that it is possible to achieve because they have the capacity to do so.

And Ndola Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ashu Sagar said the chamber which comprises competing companies believe in coexistence and help resolve any challenges that the city of Ndola faces.

Mr. Sagar called on Government to help turn the industrial area in an MFEZ which he said was once an industrial power house for production in the country and that the infrastructure still exists.

He also said the Chamber welcomes the introduction of sales tax and requested that Government includes the business community on the tax review committee so that a tax regime can be formulated for the benefit of everyone.