THE Government will set up a Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) in Choma to promote development in the new provincial capital of Southern Province.

The MFEZs, industrial clusters and industrial parks are economic models that are aimed at increasing value addition activities and expand the manufacturing base in the country.

Southern Province Permanent Secretary Chileshe Mulenga said Choma and Livingstone would have a MFEZ each but priority would be given to the new provincial capital where land had already been identified.

Dr Mulenga said in an interview that the MFEZ would help to steer economic activities and ultimately enhance development.

"We have been allowed to have one MFEZ for Choma and one for Livingstone but for now we want to prioritise one for Choma where we already have land to accommodate the Zone.

"We are already working on the Choma MFEZ and by the end of next week, I will write to the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Bob Sichinga to let him know that we are ready to have a Zone in Choma," he said.

Dr Mulenga said a technical team was already working on various technicalities and one of the possible areas for the Zone was Hammond Farm.

He said since his office and other provincial administration staff relocated to Choma recently, residents in the new provincial capital were excited and looked forward to developing infrastructure in the area.

"During the first week of our relocation from Livingstone to Choma, rentals and prices of other goods and services went up.