Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa said his government would continue to applaud China for its support towards infrastructure development in Africa as investment in infrastructure would enhance competitiveness of African economies on the global market.

Mwanawasa said this in an article titled "Infrastructure Development is the Basis of All Growth," which he wrote for the April edition of the Africa Report journal.

The president said Zambia's lack of adequate infrastructure in rural areas had affected the pace at which investors could develop some of the potential sectors possessed in such areas.

He noted that Chinese companies had come to Zambia to invest in areas such as hydroelectricity generation, road construction, water reticulation and sanitation among others.

The president applauded China for opening up markets to 28 African countries and hoped that the gesture would be extended to remaining countries on the continent.

Source: Xinhua