The government is in discussions with China’s StarTimes Group regarding the resumption and completion of the broadcasting digital migration halted three years ago.
Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa, who is currently in Beijing, said the government has committed to completing the remaining 10% of work on the digital migration project.
Mweetwa said the remaining work has attracted the attention of President Hakainde Hichilema, who directed that the project be completed.
Digital migration was among the projects worth US$2.2 billion that the government had put on hold three years ago to allow for an audit of the country’s debt stock at the time.
The project, which includes establishing and operationalizing provincial television studios is considered instrumental in enhancing the flow of information between the government and the people.
Mweetwa said having restructured its debt, the government now had some headroom to redirect resources to other needy areas.
“We thank China and other cooperating partners for their support in restructuring the country’s debt. We further thank StarTimes for their calmness and patience during the period the project was on hold,” Mweetwa said.
He advised that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning has provided funds in the 2024 budget to meet all the financial obligations necessary to complete the project, an indication of its commitment and desire to complete the project for the benefit of the public.
And, StarTimes Chairman XinXian Pang expressed happiness at the decision to resume and complete the remaining work on the digital migration project.
He assured that StarTimes was ready to resume work as soon as all the formalities were completed.
