PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda is optimistic that Zambia will soon become the economic hub of the continent because of the extensive investment in the education and construction sectors.

Speaking at State House yesterday when a Malaysian delegation presented 11 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) signed between institutions of learning in Malaysia and Zambia as well as the construction industry from that country and their counterparts here, President Banda said that it would not be long before many investors on the continent considered investing in the country.

The Malaysian delegation was led by Senior Economic Advisor -JICA and the Government of Zambia Dato' Jegathesan.

"In my inaugural speech, I said Zambia remains a hub of Africa. Whenever others in Africa think of where to go, they will come to Zambia. Perhaps by receiving these MoUs, we are making history for our country.

"When we start opening up universities here and there, it will be like wildfire," President Banda said.

Mr Banda said that Malaysia has been able to develop to this stage because of the extensive investment in education and construction sectors saying the Government would concentrate at developing the two areas of the economy.

Currently, he said many were wondering as to how Malaysia had been able to develop so fast saying the secret lay in investing in education and construction sectors.

As such, President Banda said the Government would encourage the private sector to extensively invest in education and construction.

The President said he was happy to hold the presidency at a time when the private sector was investing in the two critical areas of the economy.

"I feel so good as President to see citizens think on behalf of the citizens. Do not ask yourself what the Government can do for you but ask yourself what you can do for the Government. Many of us have come from illiterate families but we have to develop the capacity," Mr Banda said.

Mr Banda said it was imperative that Zambia implemented the terms of reference in the signed MoUs.

Speaking earlier, Japanese minister counselor Horiuchi Toshihiko said Zambia was bound to benefit from the South-to-South cooperation as Malaysia and his country would be encouraged to invest locally.

Mr Toshihiko said he was happy that the Triangle of Hope had now reached the second stage and would therefore, be working at enhancing capacity building among the member countries.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said he was happy to note that the Government was diversifying the economy from solely depending on copper to other sectors.

Mr Mutati said it was through education that Zambia would truly diversify its economy and was therefore, happy that education institutions in Malaysia were partnering with their counterparts here.

"Your excellency, we want to assure you that we will continue working with the team from Malaysia to attract more investment from that country," Mr Mutati said.

Mr Mutati also said that he was happy that by next year, the Lusaka South Economic Zone would be fully operational as the master plan had already been received.