Friday, March 29, 2024

Govt Invites Indian Firms to set up a Tax-Free zone

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After giving China a tax free zone, the government wants to create a similar exclusive economic zone for Indian companies to bring “value-addition” to its mining industry. “We have had a long partnership in India, with investments in several areas. But what has been lacking was visibility. This zone will help in improving India’s profile (in Zambia),” visiting Zambian Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati said.

He said that the offer was specifically drawn up to mark his visit to India for the fourth India-Africa business conclave. “I have not yet told my president of my decision. But we need to make quick decisions nowadays,” he said, tongue-in-cheek. The government has already approved two multi-facility economic zones being developed by the Malaysians and the Chinese.

“If the Malaysians can do it, why not India, which is a bigger country,” he asked. Malaysia was the first to ink a deal for a multi-facility economic zone (MFEZ) last year, followed by China, which is currently negotiating an agreement with the Zambians.

The minister said that the Chinese planned to invest nearly $900 million to develop the tax-free zone. “We want the Indian zone to be at least $900 million. If it’s smaller, then it will not have the visibility,” he said, adding that 30 sq km land had already been identified in the central province of Kabwe, about 150 km from capital Lusaka, for the special economic zone.

Mr Mutati said that he would like Indian firms to focus on supply of equipment and processing of raw products. “While we have a lot of mining activity, we have to export all the raw materials for processing outside as there is no proper processing plant,” he said.

Pointing out that Zambia was surrounded by eight nations, who were also mineral-rich, Mutati said: “Our neighbours like Congo, Angola and Mozambique also have active mining industries, which could also be catered by this proposed economic zone.”

Currently, India has a share of 50 percent of Zambia’s mining industry, while the Chinese have 15 percent – courtesy Vedanta Resources’ majority stake in the country’s largest copper mines, Konkola, at a cost of $1.2 billion. The total Indian investment in Zambia is estimated to be $2 billion, with capital flowing in other sectors like banking, health and education too.

While he does not foresee India losing its strong position in the Zambian mining industry, Mutati was clear that China’s “whole new way of doing business” in the continent had to be matched by the Indians. “The Chinese start to work behind the scenes, but they come and make a decision there and then. After that, they start to work backward, asking for data on the projects,” he said.

He cited the example of the Chinese MFEZ in his country to illustrate his point. “They have already constructed 30-40 percent of the buildings, but it is only now that they are negotiating an agreement,” said Mutati. Similarly, he said, the Chinese had announced an investment of $1 billion in the mining sector, but were yet to see the land. “Chinese do and assess, while Indians assess and do,” said Mutati.

He was also appreciative of the Chinese strategy to combine their acquisition of licences for resources with development of infrastructure. “In a neighbouring country, the Chinese have offered to build 3,000 km of road in a swap for a mining concession of 20 years,” he said. “Indian firms need to be more aggressive, otherwise they are losing out,” warned Mutati.
Meanwhile, the Tata group is in talks with the government of Zambia to explore iron ore and set up a steel plant in a proposed special economic zone (SEZ) exclusively reserved for Indian companies, Mr. Mutati said. “We will give them (Tatas) a mine, and we are fast,” Felix Mutati said. About 200 sq. km has been identified in Kabwe in central Zambia for the India SEZ, he said. Already, 10 Indian companies have visited the country.

He said that he was already in talks with the Tata Group, which had shown interest in setting up a plant in the proposed zone, while another Indian industrial group will be visiting Zambia next week to survey the site. Mutati said that once Indian firms invested in the tax-free zone, they would act as “marketing tools” to attract more Indian investment in other parts of the economy.

Syamal Gupta, chairman of Tata International Ltd and the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Africa committee, would not confirm Tata’s plans but said: “We are looking at all opportunities. We are exploring for coal, iron ore everywhere in the world.”
About 500 delegates from more than 30 African nations are taking part in a three-day seminar sponsored by the Confederation of Indian Industry.The Tata group, which began its African operations in Zambia more than 20 years ago, has diverse interests in Zambia, including hospitality, agriculture and in the automotive industry.

Zambia is trying to attracting investment from nations such as Malaysia, Singapore and India. Anil Agarwal-promoted Vedanta Resources Plc., which is set to buy additional stake in the country’s Konkola mines, is one of the largest investors in Zambia’s metal and mining sector, valued at more than $1 billion.

104 COMMENTS

  1. LET THEM COME SO WE CAN TAX THEM. ENSURE NO ONE STEALS THE TAXES PAID TO GOVT. WE WANT DEVELOPMENT NOW.

  2. The Zambian government seems to be smart here. They know that China and India have the fastest growing economies in the world today…..

  3. Genuine investors know where they can get the highest return on their investment. Our strategy is to put in place the necessary climate that will attract investors without having to beg them to come. It is possible to do that from a K12 trillion Budget. We have an economy growing at 6% on paper but unemployment is rising, the few that are employed are paid slave wages, enterprenuers cant borrow from banks because banks can’t trust Zambians with their money, ZESCO is rationing power, water remians a concern- this is stunted economic growth. Do we expect Indians or Chinese to come and provide these?

  4. Just to add to #4 I just wonder what the Govt is doing to build infrastructure capacity. All these new zones they are creating will require massive use of Electricity and up to the par affordable telecommunication infrastructure. Has the Govt taken care of these issues. Will ZESCO and Zamtel rise to the challenge? Nothing wrong with what they are doing and I applaud them, but just take care of the back end otherwise if we fail to deliver backend issues ..we are doomed. All this would have been a waste of money. Otherwise great opportunity to create jobs for our people at last.

  5. In countries where they have managed to attract investment such as South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, infrastructure has been one of the fundamental pillars. Zambia does not seem to mind about having modern infrastructure. Let us resolve our problems in electricity outages, roads, rail, telecommunication, health, water and all key sectors so that when those Indians and Chinese come to deplete our natural resources, we can ask them to pay a fair share of the taxes. We can then use that revenue to further improve our economy. If we give away those resources free, where are we going to find revenues to build infrastructure? beg from donors? We should be ashamed of short-cuts to development.

  6. We should not only depend on hydroelectric-power.Machocho are doing so good in coal and nuclear.
    They are also doing good in solar.So zed can learn doing the same stuff.Why cant we also ask the foreigner investors venture into the real estate industry.All what we are concentrating on is ma minerals.Vizasila ivi manje manje and the whole zed will surfer like Kabwe with pollution and high BPs.
    Ba KK knew all our reserves but he was taking time.We can’t exploit all at once.

  7. Build agric tech,Edu,Health and other sciences.Teach our children not to depend on foreigners but letting them be plan B.We need to Learn to employ them and not them employing us.Let Zambians have shares in all their resources.Don’t just let them receive less than $100 after offering high and quality labour.Let schools run some companies and hotels like the Chinese Schools do.No university has no example of what they teach.I don’t know which coys CBU,UNZA all trade schools including evelyn hone run.
    Shame on us Zambians.Is it that our professors,economists ,planners and the like are not well utilised.Even with signing any diplomatic or whatever the relations,China will first use her studen

  8. Why do we have to rely on foreigners for everything. Why cant Zambians have a competent business plan and start a business. They are those who have engineering degrees from abroad and have the experience. Why cant they come back and start a business so we can have high quality roads and buildings. The only thing we do is stay in those 1st world countries and criticize the govt. And the companies that are owned by Zambians are just concerned with filling their pockets than they are with the company. WAKE THE FUK UP DAMN IT. REMOVE THOSE FLAPS COVERING YOUR EYES AND ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING. THEN YOU CAN BICH AND BICH ALL YOU WANT.

  9. ts and profs to clarify the benefits.Have enough research and react even by inviting all our leaders and keep them in wonderful hotels to sign a deal that would profit the Great chinese people.After the China-Africa sumit the public bus and subway have become cheaper.So what?The people feel the benefit of the summit including myself.Their economic growth is both on paper and we the ignorant ones can see and feel by our pockets our eyes and our consumption,,,,.
    Are we Zambians taking the right way?
    What is Zambia going to be like in the next 35years?Where are our Children’s offspring going to be?Workers?Slaves?Colony?Beggers?Proud?
    God bless Zambia.ONE ZAMBIA?ONE NATION .

  10. I have a question for #11 and #12.
    What have you done for the Zambian economy. How many jobs (besides maid and gardener) have you given to Zambians. See this is what im saying. Zambians are just good at complaining but when given the chance to act they dont want to. They are not BOLD enough to cough up the courage to start there own business. And anyone who is brave enough to start there own business is deemed as a SATANIST. ZAMBIANS NEED TO WAKE UP.

  11. ADVERT!!!!COUNTRY FOR RENT.

    Potentially viable with abundant mineral resources,fertile land for agriculture, Great rivers for HEP generation, cheap labour waiting to be exploited and many more…

    Strategically located to do business with neighbouring countries.

    Price: Negotiable

    Preferece: given to Chinese and Indians.

    Interested parties can apply through the O.P.

    Applications should be sealed in a BROWN ENVELOPE and should be delivered on privy.

    Dead line 2011. Hurry! Hurry!

  12. Now, defore you start inviting the Brazilians for free whatever zones, do something for the local entrepreneurs. the biggest favor you can do for the rightful owners of Zambia is to give them computerised bar coded ID documents.

  13. indeed abena Zet kwena,where is the govt/church/society’s think tank in all this?????? we need to get some development strategies/plans in place for the whole Nation to follow.Ba Levy,Ba Super Ken,etc will come and go with time ,but the Nation needs to have proper Long/Mid/short-term Strategies,Logistics,Laws,regulations, structures/policies,systems etc in place to guide/drive the Nation as a whole fwd from where we are..otherwise we will always get bakaponya,tuka bolala,notu ma chancers all jumping in to show they can offer something only to end up selling whta is all our dear Zet……wake-up call!!!!!Bana bonse abena Zet???

  14. # 13, I have argued and echoed the same sentiments previously. One thing I have come to see as a weakest link in Zambia is our education system. Firstly, we have been stuck with an education system (adopted from our Colonial Masters)that was aimed at providing clerks. Our system is “a get educated-to-get-a better-job” type. It does not encourage an entrepreneurship spirit. Look at what good ideas have come from Jets Science Fairs and where have they ended up? We teach students Metal Work or Woodwork but we deny them business skills. Our education planners, if at all we have any, have failed this country.

  15. To the contrary, i think this is a very good development!!. Gordon Brown (british prime minister) was in India early this year inviting Indians to invest in the UK. Instead of charcoal burning, Indian investment is welcome as a way of creating jobs and wealth in Zambia.

    Tell me which successful economy in this world does not rely on foreign investment?

  16. #18
    Every company needs at least 2 to 3 directors. Google wasn’t thought up by one person but rather 2 to 3 people. If someones’ expertise is in Metal work and my expertise is in Accounting and Economics, don’t you think together we can come up with a viable business plan. The problem again in Zambia is people want to do everything by themselves. They think there partner will fraud them. And if there are any successful people, SATANIST. WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  17. 22
    KEEP ON VOTING AN WE’LL SEE IF ANYTHING WILL CHANGE. UNTIL ZAMBIANS DUST THE SAND OUT OF THERE EYES AND WAKE UP. NOTHING WILL CHANGE. INFACT THINGS WILL GET WORST.

  18. I blame all blackman’s disadvantages on the teachings of the Christian religion. Magogofacts #18 you’re right, we were all tought the same ‘get educated to find a great job’ rubbish but luckly for some of us, things got a bit hard for our parents in zed that they had to sent us to our uncles abroad where people don’t give a damn about what the bible says about the origin of blacks. just imagin; A democratic South Africa is only 14yrs old but already has the biggest number of mult-million dollar black businessmen in africa … dumb Zambians will remain slaves forever.

  19. Why is it that Zambians are full of hot air and loud empty talk but totally disengaged in national economic opportunities? Foreigners always see opportunities and go for them with full throttle.

  20. Companies tender for share in Zambia’s Maamba mine

    Thirty foreign and local companies have tendered for shares in Zambia’s major coal supplier to its copper mines, a senior industry official said on Wednesday.oseph Chikolwa, chief executive officer of ZCCM Investments Holdings, which wholly owns the Maamba Collieries Ltd mine, said tenders would close on March 28.”We do not have a fixed percentage to give to the successful bidder but we have decided to leave it open for negotiation with the successful bidder depending on the value they are going to add to Maamba Collieries,” Chikolwa told Reuters.

  21. “In terms of the response, we have had over thirty interested parties expressing interest to submit proposals so we can say the response has been very good.”He declined to name the companies.ZCCM Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) plans to inject $12 million into operations of the Maamba Collieries Ltd. as it seeks permanent equity partners.Maamba produced about 600,000 tonnes of coal per year in the 1980s, but years of undercapitalisation have led to a fall in production.Maamba mine has seen production slump in recent years due to undercapitalization and operational losses.The companies also hope to invest in construction of a 300-350 megawatt station to power the facility, said Chikolwa.

  22. Power demand in the southern African country has been boosted by several new mines and industrial plants.Maamba Collieries has 78 million known coal reserves to last over 70 years while the coal mine has capacity to produce up to one million tones of coal per year, officials say.”The coal at Maamba can be used to help solve the power deficit the country and the (southern Africa) region is currently facing,” said Chikolwa.

  23. Lifeline group to set up hospital in Zambia

    The Chennai-based Lifeline Group of Hospitals has signed a memorandum of understanding with Zambia’s health ministry Wednesday to establish its first overseas hospital. The MoU was signed with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Works and Supplies, Republic of Zambia. Lifeline Zambia will have an investment of $10 million.

  24. “Identifying the requirement to have better medical facility, Lifeline has taken this initiative to provide all surgical expertise and to create a state-of-the-art modern hospital in Zambia,” said J.S. Rajkumar, chairman, Lifeline group.“We will also be identifying and extending our services by reaching out to various other countries, where health care is minimal,” he added.

  25. The Zambia government will provide the land and building for the proposed medical facility. Lifeline group will build on the existing facility, equip it with 100 beds and provide state of the art equipment to make it one of the most modern hospitals in Zambia.Lifeline group will also run the facility as a commercial entity at an affordable fee.he hospital will also have a team of 300 medical personnel, including doctors and paramedical staff of which 80 percent will be from the Lifeline’s own team.

  26. The hospital will be registered with the Zambian government under the Medical Council of Zambia and the government will also assist the Lifeline group to promote this centre in the region comprising the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Malawi and Namibia.“Lifeline will also provide training to medical personnel from the University Teaching Hospital, Ndoia Central and Kitwe Central Hospital in India in order to better equip them on the latest medical treatments and procedures,” Rajkumar said.

  27. The Lifeline group has three facilities in Chennai. The group also has a department for stem cell research and has proven therapy for several paralytic cases to be successful.

  28. All these are happening when our young Zambians are busy sleeping online posting hot air without hands on mechanics of economic roles.

  29. god forbid, zambia will soon be taken over. IMWE WE ALL KNOW BAMWENYE ARE OUT THERE TO GET RICH, THEY DONT CARE WHO DIES OR SUFFERS.
    I HAVE NEVER MET A PERSON OF INDIAN ORIGIN WHO DOESNT EXPLOIT FOR CASH.
    GOD SAVE US TWALACHULA

  30. Over the years, Zambia has been privileged to have her educated citizenry at home and overseas in Biotechnology,Clinical lab sciences, pathologenetics, electronics, software, aeronautical dynamics,civil and manufacturing Engineering. The list continues, medical physicians, pharmacists, Economists, Public policy analysts, Nurses, Decision scientists, Political scientist are aplenty to help us maneuver through the international business terrain and prepare for international businesses macroeconomic challenges.But non thinks of putting down ideas in action. Now disillusioned kids are sleeping online insulting each other around the clock without vision.

  31. Meanwhile life and Government of the day must continue to administer its duties.In a vacuum of Zambians role, ingenious foreigners ever active are filling the void in mass numbers.

  32. #35
    Another Example of an ignorant Zambian. I bet you dont even know why the govt had to bring in foreigners. Zambians have not done anything in terms of commerce. They are only a few Zambians who have taken up the challenge and initiative of starting a company and whenever they are successful, they are called SATANIST. The govt has to bring in foreigners because Zambians have failed to build there economy. Zambians have failed to engage in commerce so the govt might aswell bring in people who are bold enough to engage in commerce. Take a look at South Africa. The white people are leaving the country because of their racist thought. In..

  33. South Africa. There was a population of 5 million whites before 1994, now there is a population of 3 million white South Africans. Their govt has seen the negative impact this will have on their economy so they introduced BEE (BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT) and in 2007 South Africa had its first budget surplus since 1960. The economy has grown so much that they are having electricity problems. The number of Black South Africans entering the middle class has doubled. There is a BMW dealership on every corner in South Africa simply because there BLACK PEOPLE where bold enough to enter in commerce. But in Zambia, the govt has to give me a job, the govt has to give me food, the govt has to give me.

  34. …everything. Everything you want has to come from govt according to Zambians. You want a job, engage in commerce and they’ll be jobs not just for you but for other Zambians. You want food or mealie meal prices to go down, engage in commercial farming and they’ll be no need for mealie meal prices to go up. ZAMBIANS NEED TO REMOVE THE FLAPS COVERING THERE EYES AND FINALLY SEE THAT IF YOU WANT LIGHT, YOU HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOW. THEY HAVE TO GET OUT OF THAT BED AND FINALLY WAKE UP. STOP DREAMING THAT THE GOVT WILL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING AND STOP THINKING ONE DAY THEY’LL BE A JESUS WHO COULD GIVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU DESIRE, EMPLOYMENT, LOW FOOD PRICES BECAUSE IT WONT HAPPEN.

  35. DO NOT RESIST DEVELOPMENT. JUST VOICE YOUR OPINION TO THE GOVT. SO THE CAN MAKE IT BENEFITS US ALL.

    MAYBE THE 50% UNEMPLOYEMNT WILL GO DOWN!

  36. #40 Ba Typical Zed. We get you point but, please do not bring religion into this. Just because we have hope in Jesus Christ does not mean that we want him to hand us everything. Having faith that you will have a beter life in Christ does not mean that you are lazy. I work very hard and I trust in Jesus Christ to make things better.

  37. This Generation risks growing and aging irrelevant to its heritage in the face of its Golden opportunities. It has misunderstood democracy, purpose of the internet and worse still the role of Government in an era of liberalized market economics.I see an outgrowing oligarchy and aristocratic leadership from among the same elites for many Generations to come while the empty rambling continues online by these kids.Many Western schools teach Entrepreneurship, like the USA has the SBA, micro credit systems and venture capitalists. Some Zambians have been there for 15-25 years but without inspiring marks on the ground to attest to their privileged environment.

  38. This Generation risks growing and aging irrelevant to its heritage in the face of the Golden opportunities.It has misunderstood democracy, purpose of the internet and worse still the role of Government in an era of liberalized market economics.I see an outgrowing oligarchy and aristocratic leadership from among the same elites for many Generations to come while the empty rambling continues online by these kids.Many Western schools teach Entrepreneurship,like the USA i can recall has the SBA, micro credit systems and venture capitalists ready to plough in billions.Some Zambians have been there for 15-25 years but without inspiring marks on the ground to attest to their privileged environment.

  39. Those complaining are just short-sighted individuals who know less about investments. Let any investor come to zed, what is needed is government to put up good labour laws and investment policies that will foster development in our country. Put tax laws that are beneficial to our economy and if anything emphasise on zmbians/foreighners investment policies as this will safeguard the investments. Europeans countries have invested so much in the chinese economy and its growing. We critically need investors in the value addition industries to add value to our copper(i.e. manufacturing industries). Amen

  40. Hey # 44. Do not even for a second try and stereo type Zambians abraod. Just because you know one person in the US who has not done much at home does not mean that we are all the same. I’d rather you encourange Zambians abroad to step up to the challenge and do something.

    I am guessing you might have inspired danny’s “MULA CONCLUDER”

  41. Arise or your stint in the Diaspora and education will turn out useless in the long run.The best way to learn is active learning with your hands on.Establish yourselves and set “SMART” goals in life.I mean goals that are Specific,Measurable,Attainable, Realistic and Timed. Otherwise the nightmare will continue in day light with thousands taking over.

  42. You cannot force people who choose to practice their careers abroad. I am sure they would have the same level of responsiblities or access to modern equipment in Zed.

    My way is to forster development at home but, We also live in a global environment where we are all citizens.

  43. Kabungo(47),
    With empirical evidence the hysteria here is 95% diaspora based.If you read the threads do you see hope, vision or insight of the free market economics in the writer????

  44. Unless people clearly spell it out, I will not force myself into their minds.

    ALL I AM SAYING IS “THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE”

  45. Kabungo(50),
    No one is forcing John here but challenging him over the baseless hysteria in a free market economy when foreigners find a void.If we are concerned and have the capacity, let there be correlation in words and actions on the ground. Expectations are are unattainable in a vacuum of action.

  46. Mr. Senior citizen answer these questions and then let us see if we can come up with a solution
    1. Where are you stationed
    2. Have you invested in Zed ye?
    3. What do you plan to do for Zed
    4. How do you intend to help people online to ‘get it’?

  47. Maybe let me take the lead
    1. USA
    2.Yes, but I intend to become an employer in the near future
    3. Own an international company(detail later)
    4. Speaking my mind and setting an example for all.

  48. I understand if you are working and would like to be productive so, you can implement those good habits @ home. Let me know and I will work with you to come up with a solution

    “DO BECOME PART OF THE PROBLEM BUT, PART OF THE SOLUTION”

    Later my country men and women.

  49. Kabungo(55),
    Those are straight forward questions with ready answers. They are fundamental i must confess but demand wisdom than impulse actions.They have some elements of creating a wrong spectacle of my willingness to answer directly. Some might think i’m playing the iconic blogging jig here instead of building someone.We avoid personalizing public blogging with personal issues.How i can help someone? Good throw up.I will get to you later let me clear some pending work at hand before retiring for the day.

  50. That is fair enough. Simple as those questions are I do strongly feel that they are a good starting point

    “Senior citizen” is not your name and I do not see how anything is personal. Take your time. I will be waiting.

  51. India has got the technology base…… China got the expertise I think this is a very wise move. Its one for the future. Well done Government!!!! for once

  52. “DONT WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN OR HOPE THINGS WILL FALL FROM THE SKY, MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. IF EVERYONE HAD A BUSINESS MIND, THEY WOULD BE SO MANY JOBS THAT WE WOULD HAVE AN INFLUX OF IMMIGRANTS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. ITS TOO BAD ZAMBIANS DON’T WANT TO HAVE A FUTURE WHERE PEOPLE WILL BE BEGGING FOR ZAMBIAN FOREIGN INVESTMENT.”

  53. IN THE YEAR 2000. THE ECONOMIST (a magazine) WROTE AN ARTICLE ENTITLED “AFRICA THE HOPELESS CONTINENT” (on the cover) and i never believed it. I worked my butt off so one day i can prove them wrong. But looking at the influx of ignorant and hopeless bloggers who choose the blaming game and a few intelligent Zambians actually willing to do something. I am starting to believe the article written by the ECONOMIST.

  54. Walanda bwino #62.

    We can do with some effort. I wish I can say I am starting a company today but I cannot. I am busy building up capital and making the right contacts. TULEISA MU TEKANYE

  55. No! No! Where there is a will there is a way. Do not let ill intending high school drop out discourage you. That is their goal and you should not declare them winners.

    THE FIGHT FOR ECONOMIC FREEDOM HAS JUST BEGAN AND YOU WILL MISS OUT IF YOU DROP OUT NOW! THE CHOICE IS YOURS

  56. My belief is that the whole world gets the best students and puts them in finance, government, justice positions after rigorous interviews and tests; Pays them a very good salary; Exposes them to modern global management techniques.
    We don’t. We let our institutions be run by inept family or friends. The best people are left to moan about it on blogs. “Chibeule” then becomes an attractive proposal after years of fellow undervaluation, foreigner insubordination, national humuliation, racial decapitation (check global blogs, to the extent that endemic stealing becomes a tradition.
    The current and last generations have let us down, maybe when we are in charge better times wil follow.

  57. It took the USA hundrends of years to build their economy and we should not expect our to a short road.

    WITH THE GLOBALIZED ECONOMY WE CAN MAKE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS.lET US ALL COMMITT DO BE A PART OF THIS CAUSE. TALKING ABOUT IT HERE IS NOT ENOUGH BUT, WE CAN SHARE OUR VIEWS

  58. It took the USA hundrends of years to build their economy(which is still fragile) and we should not expect ours to be a short road.

    WITH THE GLOBALIZED ECONOMY WE CAN MAKE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS.LET US ALL COMMITT TO BE A PART OF THIS CAUSE. TALKING ABOUT IT HERE IS NOT ENOUGH BUT, WE CAN SHARE OUR VIEWS

  59. #68
    Here is a challenge for you. It took Vietnam, South Korea and Taiwan 25-30 years to build there economies. Why cant we shock everyone and do it in 15 years. We have the skilled labor and we are surrounded by 8 other countries. Why cant we step up to the challenge and work night and day to build our economy. We should have the will to develop and we should engage in commerce to do it. That statement is a statement of laziness. At this pace we will be always blaming the govt for everything that goes wrong in this country.

  60. Well, I am pointing out the facts. 200 years for America is what it took. Now don’t say I am making a lazy statement when I am only saying what happenned in history. I am very optimistic and believe that we can make speedy progress. I would even dare say that in 10 years time, if we give all we’ve got, we can be right there where the rest of the developed world is.

    I AM ALSO REALISTIC TO THE CURRENT SITUATION BUT NO DOUBT IT CAN BE DONE!

  61. #44 Senior Citizen.

    I have to agree that in 30 years or so we shall have a visible aristocracy on Zambia. It actually scares me that most of my friends and the people I went to school with did look down on the poor majority. The ones in Zambia compound, Misisi etc. But those are the vast majority in Zambia, aren’t they? It will be made up mostly of the kids today whose families are well connected. I think by then a person’s last name will start to matter in certain circles.

    I do agree that we as the educated few have an obligation to spread the wealth of the country around. Rather than just harping on and on about how the government is this and the government is that, let us put up practi

  62. contd.

    practical solutions to some of our problems. I personally intend to have some sort of business by the time I am 40. On my own I could probably buy or build a large farm.

  63. am wanna be a farmer too and maybe.. maybe some day i could have kids in south province of zambia who are half cow half human.

  64. Kabungo(55),
    I’m back we pick-up from where we left yesterday on the way forward for ingenious Zambians and expert knowledge.

  65. I’m back we can pick-up from where we left yesterday on the way forward for ingenious Zambians and expert knowledge.

  66. Most Zambians are always day dreaming. What stops Zambians from investing. They have no money period. They are waiting for government hand outs. Where is the governmnet going to get the money to give you. Other countries use investors to bring capital and in the process accumulate their own. Most Zambians are so ignorant and full of themselves. With the kind of thinking prevelant in Zambia no wonder our people still go to the bush for the toilet just like animals do. This is happenbing in the 21st century. We can stop this but only with thinking not narrow nationalism.

  67. #77
    Since you are also another ignorant Zambian who wants everything to be given to him by foreign investors rather than trying to do something by himself i will tell you where Zambians can get capital. They can get capital from Banks. If Stanbic can give the govt of Zambia a $1 billion dollar loan, what can stop them giving a Zambian $1 million dollars to start a business if they have a competent business plan and a good credit history. Foreigners only invest in an economy if there is market. Why would the Hilton want to erect a 10 story hotel building if there are no people to book the rooms. The Zambian people first have to make the country

  68. …marketable. If you think foreign investors come to invest in country due to pity or “helping out” you are wrong. They come to make profit. The investors currently in Zambia are just here to make profit. Get the highest volume of resources at the cheapest price. If they really wanted to penetrate the African market, they could always go to South Africa whose economy is marketable especially with the coming world cup. Maybe if Zambians start by forming businesses so more Zambian people can have jobs and genuine foreign investors can see that they can make a profit in Zambia, then they would come because that would mean the economy is marketable. So since you constantly rely on foreign

  69. …investors, i have a question for you CHEESE.

    1. What have you done for the Zambian economy

    and if you haven’t done anything..

    2. What do you plan on doing for the Zambian economy

  70. …and to add on to Typical Zed’s smart and stright forward Questions:

    3. What Salary wage ranges to you hope to subject the local employees???

    I hope it’s not one of those useless peanuts you were advise by Chuchu when he said: “come to Zambia … there’s cheap labour!!!” Techalo chakwe eka. Chama sweet and typical Zambians like us. Otherwise, you’d better go back before you even start off to our Sweet Zambia.

  71. Yes sir,

    I am still waiting to hear how you plan to help the situation and the people get the vision.

    The ball is in your court

  72. Yes sir or madam,

    I am still waiting to hear how you plan to help the situation and the people get the vision.

    The ball is in your court

  73. Typical Zed is an embarrasment. Investment is about mutual benefit. Why should an investor give you money free of charge.He is not mad. You think investors pick money from the streets. They work for it. As a country what we get from investors depends on how we stracture ourselves. I would never invest if I cannot make a profit. Investors are not churches to give handouts. The kind of debates that go on in Zambia do not go on in UK, USA, China any many other countries that are major recipients of investments. They know what it is all about. Zed is happy to have his relataives die from disease and go to the bush for toilets like animals. He is waiting for Zambian investment.

  74. CHEESE
    (Before i write this. I just want to apologise to all the Zambians because this is generally going to be long but i still encourage everyone to read because it is going to have some valid points)

  75. CHEESE
    At what point did i say that investors should give “handouts”. I do not remember saying that. If you mean by the “stanbic bank” statement then maybe i should explain to you generally ho banks make their money. If you open an account, banks generally get your money, and give you certain details which i wont go into now. After getting your money, they loan it out and charge interest on that loan and the loan generally depends on the kind of account you have with the bank. After they have loaned out the money depending on what the person who has loaned the money plans to do, whether it is buying a house, a car or starting a business.

  76. …They then give you a certain period of days which you have. Then after those days, you are required to start paying back that loan in monthly installments depending on the agreement you have with the Bank and they also charge interest on that loan which is generally there profit. Moving on

  77. …All i was saying is if Zambia had to develop, it has to start with the Zambians themselves acting on it. If a foreign company wants to start operations in Zambia, firstly it surveys the country, how many consumers can i get, how is the market for my product like, how is the economy like and if they don’t like what they see then they wont bother investing which is why most foreign investment is in the form of “RAW MATERIALS”. What i was generally saying is, its up to Zambians to come up with the challenge of developing this country because no one cares about Zambia but Zambians. Lets take an example of the village which you criticize so much. Lets say it has a population of 300 people.

  78. …Then here comes a Zambian who got a loan from DBZ and started a commercial farm in the area where the village is and employs 180-200 people within that village and gives them a good wage. Now what happens to the remaining unemployed. Do they wait for another investor to invest in the village. Or do they go sell tomatoes and onions since thats the most common form of commerce in Zambia. No, its up to Zambians who are privileged to teach them little ways in which they can build up there community and themselves. So here is a group of educated privileged Zambians, they put the villagers on some 4 year courses.

  79. In the first two years, maybe they teach English (so they can read and write, Math, Civic education (so they can know about human rights, politics and other things), env. science (so they can learn about disease, AIDS, condoms, etc). Then if they pass that, they then teach them things like Baking, Barber, Retailing, etc. So now you have 200 employed on the farm, they can go to the retail outlet within there village to get things like mealie meal, BOOM, etc. They can go to the bakery to get bread. They can go to the barbershop to have a haircut, go to the Bar for fun. They would be able to pay for drugs at the hospital, pay for school fees. Go to the restaurant within there village.

  80. When banks in the city see this little economic activity, they can set up an outlet in the village. Insurance companies would also want to be part of this small economy. Celtel might also follow. The govt will also be interested because it has new tax payers. Others might set up a small lodge so the villagers relatives can have somewhere to sleep in when they come to visit. This is an example of a small working economy that was started through the hard work of the Zambian people themselves. No foreign investor will ever do this because what profit can he earn from this. Maybe the farm but in the case of educating the people it is Zambians all the way and they achieved it by teaching people

  81. skills and giving them a business mind. This is exactly what im saying. Zambians must work at starting there own businesses so as to have a working economy. They are so many banks in Lusaka and i don’t think if you have a good business plan they would not give you a loan. My commerce teacher got a $1 million dollar loan for commerce text book since he saw the need of a good text book and that there is a shortage of good commerce text books. Some of the notes he would give us came from his book which wasn’t published yet and most of the class passed. He has contributed to the Zambians economy. Even by using a ZAMPEN you would have contributed to the Zambian economy.

  82. All im saying is Zambians through business and enterprenuership, The economy can be moving, the unemployment rate would go down. All it takes are Zambians who are educated, privileged to start companies that they know would generate profit. No one knew that having a luxury bus liner would be profitable but someone was bold enough to try it and now his company (CR Carriers) is the most successful that they are calling him a SATANIST. It takes Zambians to start this companies and the economy would be moving forward. Foreign investors will see that the economy is working that they’ll also want to make a profit out of a working economy not an economy which Zambia is at now.

  83. If Zambians had started companies. These companies are working smoothly and offering a good wage to its employees. Lets say if i was the CEO of HP in Africa. I would then send out a team to survey the Zambian economy, then if the survey is good. I would be willing to set up an assembly company for HP computers because i know with a good economy, i would be able to make profit. And you’re talking about going to the bush to use the toilet, i think that’ll still happen if someone gets a salary of K450,000 – K500,000. At that type of salary, i dont think people would be able to pay for electricity, water or even buy a toilet. You know what CHEESE,

  84. …you go work at a hazardous coal mine for K450,000 – K500,000 and see what you can do with such a salary. Lets see the kind of house you would have. The kind of food you would have and if you have kids, how many of them you would afford to send to school. I am not denying that the current investment will contribute to the economy but i dont think investment in the RAW material market will benefit the Zambian economy because once the raw material prices go down, then the investors will be on the first plane back home and the economy will be back to square one. But if Zambians had already started firms that deal in capital products, then the economy would suffer slightly.

  85. Some of the companies in Japan started some years ago and today they are still functioning. SONY, PANASONIC, HONDA. What would stop Zambians from having companies that can last for a long time. Japan was poor after WW2 but because the people had a drive, they prospered. Because the people had a business mind, they prospered. Because the educated people used there skills to start companies, they prospered. They didnt wait for foreign investment from America but they started there own companies and made the economy marketable. The questions still stand CHEESE.
    1. What have you done for the Zambian economy
    2. What do you plan to do for the Zambian economy.

  86. Typical Zed:

    Why has Stanbic not given you money up to now ? You are really shallow. That is why you work at a nursing home. You think a bank would give you money to a guy like you. Go and get the money and build us the Kafue Gorge power station,. Banks are commecial enterprises. Actually Banks are investors too in case you did not know. Why should I tell you what I have done for Zambia that is not in issue. Please go and get loans from Stanbic and build us power stations, hospitals in your village, water and good sanitation. Even the internet you are using is because of investors in case you do not know. Show me what scientific contribution you have made to the world- the hoe and axe!

  87. CHEESE
    Stanbic bank has not given me loans yet because i have not yet come up with a business plan. I don’t know which field of commerce i want to venture in yet but as soon as i find out, i’ll do it. And this is what im saying again. Why would i invest in a power station when i know the economy is crap. Why would i invest in a power station when i know not even half of Zambians can’t pay for it. Why would i invest in a power station when they are only 500,000 formal jobs catering for a population of 11 million people. I couldn’t because the economy is not marketable. Chances of me making a profit are extremely low.

  88. …but if Zambians had to take it up to themselves to add to the 500,000 formal jobs then the economy could seem more attractive. You CHEESE are just a narrow minded Zambian. You are nothing so you try to bring people who are thinking of making this economy better down. Just stay off this blog because at most your contributions are useless and pathetic.

  89. I think Crazy_Zambian has said it for me. And just to add to the internet which you talk about. The internet in zambia is crap because they are very few people who can manage to pay for internet access. While our friends pay a fixed monthly amount for an internet access of 10.00MBps, Zambians pay per minute for a broadband service of 56Kbps. They are very few Zambians with computers and also very few Zambians who can pay for internet access, so the investor has generally lost motivation or simply does not see it worth while to bring in advanced equipment for an economy that can’t manage to pay for internet access. The only thing keeping the internet company going is the small number of

  90. companies catering for a dying economy. I have never gone to a shop and find it filled with “made in Zambia” products. They always has to be “Made in South Africa” or “Made in China”. When are Zambians going to take a stand. The guy who owns Marks Motorways has done it. The guy who owns MUVI TV has done it and MUVI TV has even got new camera’s. When last did ZNBC buy new camera’s, when Chiluba was in power. They where waiting for foreign investors to invest in there dying T.V station. The guy who owns “CROSSROADS Shopping mall” has done it. And these are all Zambians who are making good money by the way. So Cheese dont talk with Zeal because you know nothing.

  91. I seeing something fishy with the the so called Tax free zones.Has there been an official invitation for Zambians to invest in these so tax free zones?Gentlemen if care is not taken we will be ripped off.I support the idea of free tax zones but as usual the implementation leaves much to be desired.

  92. We would like to open a company in india (Import/Export) for USed shoes and Clothes. So please advice us how to start business there. Investor from USA.

    Please contact

    [email protected]

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