Organized People’s Party (OPP) President Dr. Brian Mushimba says Zambia must shift from exporting raw materials to processing them locally if the country is to create jobs and grow the economy. Dr. Mushimba alias Mr 4 million jobs observed that for 62 years, Zambia has exported wealth in raw form while importing expensive finished products. […]

Organized People’s Party (OPP) President Dr. Brian Mushimba says Zambia must shift from exporting raw materials to processing them locally if the country is to create jobs and grow the economy.

Dr. Mushimba alias Mr 4 million jobs observed that for 62 years, Zambia has exported wealth in raw form while importing expensive finished products.

“For 62 years, Zambia has been exporting much of its wealth in raw form while importing expensive finished products. This model shifts jobs and industries into other countries instead of here at home,” Dr. Mushimba said.

He noted that while the UNIP government established industries, the privatization under MMD led to the collapse of many of them and increased foreign ownership of the economy.

“A nation does not become prosperous simply because it has natural resources. It becomes prosperous when it owns its means of production, its economy, and transforms those raw resources into products with higher value,” he said.

Dr. Mushimba said mining and agriculture provide the raw materials needed to establish factories and industries that can process copper, maize, and other resources into finished goods.

“Establishing factories to process these raw materials into finished products will create many jobs for citizens. This is our pledge. This is why OPP was formed. This is why we are running in these elections,” he said.

The OPP President said his party is made up of qualified professionals with the experience and expertise to deliver value addition.

“We are a collection of qualified professionals with just the right experience, expertise and tools to make the next 62 years incredibly rewarding for citizens,” Dr. Mushimba added.

Francis Chipalo