THE European Union (EU) will provide 475 million euros for the support to national projects in Zambia over a period of six years, EU acting head of delegation, Francesca Di Mauro has said.

Ms Di Mauro said the European Commission had allocated 120 million euros for infrastructure development and maintenance of the road networks in Zambia.

"The funds received will go towards the T4 road project of the Great East Road aimed at facilitating imports into Zambia and exports of goods out of Zambia," she said.

Speaking during the training workshop for Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) in Lusaka yesterday, Ms Di Mauro said the EU would also make available funds for the aviation sector in Zambia.

She said another component of the funds would go towards the health sector in Zambia, adding that the EU was committed to supporting infrastructure development.

Meanwhile, Ms Di Mauro commended the Government for consulting with the private sector and civil society on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs).

"Under EPA, we think Zambia has done a very good job in consulting with the private sector and civil society," she said.

Ms Di Mauro was optimistic that Zambia would sign the EPAs, either this month or next.

She said Zambia would benefit more from the EPAs because it was one of the least developed countries.

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry acting Permanent Secretary Siazongo Siakalenge urged ZACCI to establish the trade policy centre in Zambia that would provide advice to policy makers.

Mr Siakalenge said there was need for ZACCI to operationalise the trade policy centre for it to start providing advice and professional services to policy makers and the private sector.

"The centre should aim to provide information on all matters pertaining to trade policy formulation and negotiation," he said.

In a speech read for him by director of planning Sherry Zulu, Mr Siakalenge said capacity building in trade policy formulation and negotiations played an important role in any trade negotiation process.

He said the development of an informed and competent private sector in trade policy formulation was important in ensuring that trade liberalisation contributed to national development through the creation of competitive domestic industrial sectors.