VISITING Malaysian investors have expressed interest in forming joint ventures with the Zambian business community.

Delegation leader of the 18 member team, Tan Sri Dato' Soong, told journalists on arrival at the Lusaka International Airport yesterday that his team's mission was to identify investment opportunities.

"We have read and heard of great investment opportunities prevailing in Zambia's various sectors and that is why we are here. We also want to physically discuss and assess the suitability for investment," he said.

Mr Soong, who is also the chairman of Malaysian South-South Association said Malaysia sought to collaborate with Zambia in joint ventures that include manufacturing of cold roll steel sections for furniture and housing.

"We seek to collaborate with Zambia in manufacturing of coke fired cupola for cast iron foundry, agricultural products processing machinery, paint as well as solar energy driven electrical motor pumps," he said.

The delegation leader said in return, Malaysia would wish to sell to Zambia, palm oil mill machinery, hollow steel sections for furniture and housing as well as re-tread tyres for passenger cars and heavy trucks.

"We wish to buy from Zambia, agricultural and marine products.