Zimpapers Logo

BUKANGALONZO. — The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila on Tuesday launched Bukangalonzo industrial park in Bandundu province, an official source has said. At least 10,000 hectares of the park’s 75,000 hectares piece of land will be used for cultivation of vegetables and fruits.

Other investments on the park will be in areas such as energy, transport, housing, water, agricultural training, schools, health centers and community infrastructure.

A South African consortium, Africom, won the tender to manage the park in partnership with cooperative societies formed by villagers.

To launch the park, the government mobilised a total of US$83 million, out of which US$53 million went towards setting up the production site while US$30 million went to production and distribution of electricity in the park.

“The investment is a demonstration of the willingness by President Kabila’s government to make agriculture a pillar of our economy,” Prime Minister Matata Ponyo said during the opening ceremony. Agriculture contributes 40 percent of DR Congo’s gross domestic product. The country has enormous agricultural potential with its 80 million hectares of arable land. — Xinhua.