By Derrick Silimina

The signing of the local content SI has prepared the ground for greater involvement of local suppliers and contractors in the mining sector, indicating that they are now ready to deliver as expected, according to the Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors (AMSC).

Association president Costa Mwaba has emphasized that mining companies have a crucial role in supporting local suppliers by ensuring they receive fair pricing and timely payments.

“We are fully prepared, and this issue of capacity is not something that can be built overnight, because most suppliers and contractors have proven their business acumen and to engage with the administration of companies for ongoing support,” Mwaba said during the ongoing Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors conference currently underway at Garden Court Hotel in Kitwe.

Mwaba also commended the government for its support of local suppliers and contractors, highlighting the importance of maintaining quality and ensuring timely engagement in business transactions.

He urged financial institutions to offer both short- and long-term financing options to bolster local businesses. He emphasized that ongoing collaboration with mining companies is crucial for the success of local suppliers and contractors within the mining industry

Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe graced the event, along with other senior government officials, including Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Elias Mubanga and Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga.

The one-day conference is organized and sponsored by several prominent companies and financial institutions, including FQM, Mopani Copper Mine, Konkola Mines Plc, Stanbic Banks, and Indo Zambia Bank, among others. The event is held under the theme, “Unlocking the Local Content: Turning Policy into Prosperity for Zambia’s SMEs.”