It is unfortunate that we have to continue importing our raw material when actually our own firm, NCZ has the machinery to manufacture the same material. We hope that one day and soon NCZ can produce all the material we use in manufacturing explosives so that we stop to take out millions of dollars through importation of the same. AEL managing director, Steve Thompson told Financial Mail in an interview last week. Mr Thompson was speaking at the AEL stand at the Kitwe show grounds before the opening of the 2001 Copperbelt Agriculture, Mining and Commercial show which ended on June 3. He said the war in the DRC was not only affecting their business but also hindering a number of firms with interests in the DRC from getting to the country.
Congo is tremendously rich and has great potential for business.
But the war situation in that country is making it very difficult for us to do business with them. We have good business both in Zambia and the Congo. It could even be more better with the ending of the war. The war between various factions has been raging in the DRC from 1998. At the peak of the Congo war six countries got involved, with Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia fighting alongside government troops while Rwanda and Uganda backed the rebels.