By Mu Dong

    KITWE, Zambia, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Rupiah Banda said on Monday that his government is appreciative of the unique economic support the nation continues to receive from China.

    Banda said this in Kitwe, the capital of central Zambia's Copperbelt Province, when officially launching the China-invested Chambishi Copper Smelter which is located in the China-Zambia Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone there.

    The Zambian president said that during the global financial crunch, the Chinese Government did not downsize or close its companies in the country but instead increased its investment.

    He said the Copper Smelter has been set up within the zone, whose concept is to attract manufacturing companies in both domestic and export based categories.

    The president said that the smelter is a major step towards the sort of economic progress that his government anticipates within the zone.

    Banda called on mining companies operating on the Copperbelt Province and North-Western Province to utilize the smelter whose construction has adhered to international standards.

    He said Chambishi Copper Smelter is strategically located in the heart of the Copperbelt and is in close proximity to major concentrators at the large scale mines in Zambia, adding that his government is evidently succeeding in attracting foreign direct investment resulting in the creation of jobs for the people in the country.

    Banda further expressed delight that Zambians and Chinese workers have combined and integrated as one people.

    He said this is proof of the friendliness and good understanding, adding that is the best way in which foreign direct investment should take root and bear fruit in the country.

    The president noted that foreign investors are an important part of the struggle to improve the quality of life for the Zambian people.

    "Where there are ideas on how to further improve or enhance Zambia's relationship with Foreign investors and make them more profitable to the Zambian populace, those ideas are always welcome," he said.

    Banda said that it is not right for anyone to agitate for the departure of all Chinese investors because people are familiar with the huge investments the Chinese have pumped into he Country such as the Tazara Railways, one among several other projects which have all stimulated economic growth in the country.

    He said that the entire world is now dependent on the Chinese economy and that he is very proud of the relationship existing between the two countries.

    On the same occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Qiangmin said that the Chambeshi Copper Smelter, now the largest company in the economic zone, has created more than 600 jobs for local people.

    The company would continue to support the local economy to enhance the growth of the Zambian export market, he added.

    The smelter has a capacity to process 150,000 metric tones of copper per year. China Non Ferrous Metal Mining Group Limited holds 60 percent of its share while Zambia's largest industrial firm ZESCO Limited has 40 percent shares.