CHINA has given the Zambia Police Service 25 new cars to improve its operations. Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao disclosed this on Friday when he handed over two Higer buses to Mazhandu Family Bus Services Limited and three others to Zampost at Higer Bus Zambia Limited. “This is a gift from the Chinese government to the Zambia Police,” Mr Zhou said. He said the cars, manufactured by Higer Bus Company of China, are similar to the 30 saloon cars that China donated to the Zambian government last year alongside 25 city buses and 10 protocol coaches. This is another major boost to bilateral relations between Zambia and China, which have enjoyed a cordial partnership in political, economic, social and cultural development for almost five decades now. And Higer Bus Zambia Limited general manager Wu Ming said the cars are already on the ship and are likely to be in the country next month. Meanwhile, Mr Zhou has welcomed Higer Bus Zambia Limited’s plans to set a motor assembly plant in Zambia. The company has already acquired land off Kafue road near Makeni Mall and has started laying foundation for the first ever Chinese motor assembly plant in Zambia. According to Mr Wu, the company will initially assemble the new Higer pickup, which has already been launched in Zambia and is on the market. Mr Zhou said he is hopeful the company will gain experience, expand and start assembling other vehicles for Zambians to access new affordable vehicles. “That kind of ideas and plans are fully supported by me and the Chinese government. I think that will help us to raise mechanical levels, industrial levels and create employment opportunities for the people because once you work in the motor vehicle assembly plant, you will be a good mechanic and earn a living by repairing vehicles. “I think it is a good thing to do in terms of training, in terms of raising industrial levels and providing jobs,” he said. Mr Zhou said the assembly plant will be operating according to orders made by potential buyers. He advised Mr Wu to do a feasibility study with a view of establishing markets in other countries besides Zambia. Meanwhile, Mazhandu Family Bus Services Limited proprietor Josephat Mazhandu dispelled claims by some people that the Higer buses are not strong. “They are strong and those saying they are not strong are not just maintaining them,” Mr Mazhandu said. He said he prefers Higer buses because they are ‘next door’. “If we order from others, we have to wait for six months. So when I come here I will go away with a bus and I am going straight away with these two. So why should I waste time to go very far? “They [the buses] are cheaper; the price of this bus perhaps is half the price of buses from somewhere else. The service is good. The attention is excellent and so I suppose every customer wants to go where they are well treated,” he said.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 05:14:20 +0000
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