Multi Facility Economic Zone - A Chinese firm, REBA Industrial Corporation Limited, has come on board at the Chambishi Multi Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) with an investment capital of more than US$1 million in the making of heavy equipment components. General manager Zhang Shumin said in Kitwe at the weekend that the firm which invested an initial $770,000 is expanding because of the conducive business environment in Zambia. Ms Zhang said the company initially invested $ 770, 000 but had grown in the last three months because of the conducive business environment in Zambia.

She said the investment was expected to grow because of the investor confidence prevailing in Zambia.

"We have only been here for three months but we expect to grow because of the conducive environment and the confidence we have in the business," Ms Zhang said.

He said the zone had provided good conditions and incentives hence the setting up ot the investment by REBA.

The company specialises in making components such as spare parts, equipment assembly and servicing for both light and heavy industrial equipment.

REBA is among the 15 enterprises that has invested in the industrial park. Ms Zhang bemoaned the lack of local mechanic and technical skills which the company required.

She, however, said the company had gone into an arrangement in which Northern Technical College (NORTEC) students in Ndola would be attached for practical lessons to saturate the market with the required skills.

Ms Zhang said starting January 20, students from NORTEC would be attached to under-study Chinese mechanics after which they would receive certificates while outstanding ones would be employed by the company.

REBA has so far employed 40 locals specialised in various skills and 10 Chinese experts responsible for under-studies.

Stanslous Ngosa

The Times of Zambia/03/01/2012