Starch processing plant in Solwezi to be established

CEEC Director General, Likando Mukumbuta

The Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) has disbursed a loan of K4.4 million to PremierCon Starch Processors Limited to finance the establishment of a starch processing plant in Solwezi district.

The plant, which is expected to be fully operational in December 2017, will produce starch from cassava and sweet potatoes, and will create 200 jobs at construction phase and 160 direct permanent jobs when operational.

With a production capacity of 480 tonnes of starch per day, the plant will create a market for 15,000 small scale farmer of cassava and sweet potatoes every year and will save Zambia $6 million in starch imports every year.

CEEC Director General, Likando Mukumbuta says this investment forms part of the drive to develop the rural areas under government’s industrilisation and job creation strategy.

And PremierCon Starch Processors Limited Chief Executive Officer, Lubasi Yuyi has pledged his company’s commitment to further expansion and ensuring that cassava and sweet potatoes became amongst the principal drivers of industrialization and inclusive growth in Zambia.