THE Government has secured about 4,000 hectares of land for the establishment of a Multi-facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) in Chembe District in Luapula Province.

Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) MFEZ manager Robert Banda disclosed in an interview in Lusaka that the agency had managed to secure more than 3,000 hectares of land from the traditional leader meant for the establishment of the MFEZ.

The MFEZ that will be developed will help catalyse industrial and economic development through increased activity in the manufacturing sector adding value to the numerous natural and agricultural raw materials to enhancing both domestic and export oriented business.

Mr Banda said part of the consideration for the MFEZ would be for investment and promotion purposes saying that Chembe being a new district was destined for increased industrial activities once the MFEZ was established.

"The land has been given to us as ZDA by the traditional leader meant for investment and promotion purposes and the proposed site for the MFEZ will be situated near Luapula River in Chembe District," Mr Banda said.

To promote rural industrialisation, the Government plans to set up MFEZ in each provincial centres aimed at increasing industrial and economic activities in the rural areas.

Mr Banda could not disclose how much would be invested in the proposed MFEZ because investment levels were yet to be determined.

"We will promote the area as ZDA for investment purposes and attract investors to set up industries for the purpose of value addition both for the export and domestic market," Mr Banda said.

The agency may require an investor to provide and maintain in MFEZ standard infrastructure, facilities ready-made standard factory buildings, warehouse, factory space and telecommunication.

Other facilities to be established include water and sewerage networks, uninterrupted power supply source, internal roads and waste water treatment.