The continued investment into Zambia by Chinese firms should by now convince critics that investors from the giant Asian country are serious about setting up business here.

So far, about $US700 million worth of investments have poured into the country and mining firms that Chinese investors have set up especially on the Copperbelt bear testimony to how committed the Chinese are.

It is, therefore, not surprising that Vice-President George Kunda said at a banquet for the Chinese delegation that there still remains more investment opportunities in Zambia and invited them to explore other sectors of the economy.

The agricultural industry provides more investment opportunities that can produce high returns if properly managed.

The fisheries and livestock sectors remain largely underdeveloped although the country has a favourable climate to enable these two sectors to flourish.

In the fisheries sector, Zambia has abundant fresh water bodies in lakes and rivers and this industry still remains at subsistence level although it can be developed to commercial levels.

The same situation prevails in the livestock industry where most of the farmers are at subsistence level and rarely treat the sector as an industry that can contribute more to the economy.

President Banda has recognised the potential and created a ministry solely responsible for fisheries and livestock to oversee the development of these two sectors.

The challenge, however, is to attract investment that will provide finance to the farmers and other related sub sectors and this is where the private sector has a window of opportunity to go in exploit the potential.