Eastern Province has the potential to attract many investors who can invest in the processing of farming products if the financial status of the country stabilises.
Italian Ambassador to Zambia, Filippo Scammacca says the province has a lot of farmers growing a variety of crops for sale.
He says the farmers should learn to start processing their crops so that they can export the products and contribute to income generation of the country.
Ambassador Scammacca says some Italian investors are interested in setting up a Tomato paste processing company but the country’s interest rate should drop first.
Ambassador Scammacca says Italy and Zambia have enjoyed good bilateral relations since the coming of the Combon and Benedict fathers to the country, which also saw some investors from Italy coming to invest in Zambia.
He was speaking this morning when he paid a courtesy call on Provincial Acting Permanent Secretary, Royd Tembo.
And Mr. Tembo says government appreciates Italy’s interest to set up a tomato processing company in Eastern Province because there are a lot of farmers who grow tomato just for sale.
Mr. Tembo says government appreciates the support it is receiving from Italy, which is supporting about 580 farmers under the Conservation Agriculture ceiling up program.
He added that government appreciates the spiritual guidance it is receiving from Italy through the Catholic Church.