Copperbelt Agric Show opens today

By ALEX NJOVU

THE 2010 Copperbelt Agricultural and Commercial Society Show (CACSS) has opened its gates to the public today.

Organising committee officials have called on business houses to take advantage of the event to showcase their products.
CACSS chairman Bill Osborn said his committee is confident Zambians from all walks of life will attend this year’s show whose theme is “2010, a new decade-renewed hope”.
He said the organising committee has received overwhelming response from various stakeholders who have committed themselves to contributing positively to the growth of the economy.
Mr Osborn said this yesterday in an interview in Kitwe.
“This year we have 100 exhibitors, while last year only 70 companies exhibited due to the global recession that affected most companies on the Copperbelt.
We have 25 foreign companies taking part in the show and this increase in the exhibitors shows that the economy on the Copperbelt is improving and the province is recovering from the recession,” Mr Osborn said.
He said about K800 million was spent on preparations, and the committee intends to raise over K1.2 billion.
Mr Osborn said the money was spent on the improvement of infrastructure and refurbishment of several stands in the show ground.
Most of the companies that have confirmed their participation deal in mining activities.
Mr Osborn said they expected this year’s event to be fruitful because the economy is doing well and Government is implementing polices that are working towards stabilising the economy
He explained that despite the global crisis affecting last year’s show, the CACSS raised about K 900 million but this year they hope to raise K 1.2 billion.
Mr Osborn added that the show society committee has noticed that the MMD government under President Banda has been working towards easing Zambia’s inflation to a single digit.
He commended the Government for the robust and steady economic growth attained under President Banda’s leadership despite the global economic crunch.
He urged Copperbelt residents to attend this year’s event which has attracted several local musicians that include Dandy Crazy, Runnel and Mama Africa.