Don’t scare away investers, Pande warns politicians

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Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande has appealed to politicians to desist from making pronouncements that would threaten Zambia’s relationship with other countries and also scare away investors.

Mr. Pande said Zambia had in the past year enjoyed improved cordial relationship with other regional and international countries..

Mr. Pande who is also Kasempa Area Member of Parliament noted that Zambia needed to maintain and further enhance the cordial relations with other countries enjoyed in 2008 if it is to counter the current financial global recession and rising food prices.

He pointed out that 2009 will be a year when the country should witness true nationalists and advised politicians not to use language that would hinder investors and sour relations with other countries.

Mr. Pande was speaking in Kasempa in an interview with ZANIS at the end of his six days inspection of developmental projects in his constituency.

And Mr. Pande has called upon the media to double its efforts in their reportorial duties and help the country conquer the negative global trends that are hampering economic and social development.

Mr. Pande said the media should be objective in its reporting so that it does not derail efforts aimed at serving the country from being totally submerged in the financial and food crisis.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pande has described 2008 as one of the best years that Kasempa district had embraced a number of developmental projects.

He cited the soon to be commissioned community radio station, the construction of the Kasempa-Mumbwa and Kasempa-Kaoma roads and the construction of a number of schools and clinics as some of the many developmental efforts the people of Kasempa would remember 2008 for.

Mr. Pande however said the district will in 2009 focus on completing some projects which were embarked on in 2008 and to prioritize food production.

Earlier, Kasempa District Commissioner Henry Shantolo commended private and Non-Governmental Organisations for their continued efforts to work with government to develop Kasempa District.

Mr. Shantolo said the district is expected to record a boom in business once all roads are worked on.

ENDS/ZANIS

89 COMMENTS

  2. Only thing that can scare investors is them not exploiting the nationals. Investors worst fear is an educated country with equitable distribution of wealth . Right now zambia is an investor’s wet dream

  5. Good point ba Pande, but you should know that ivestors are more concerned about government policies than what people not in goverment say

  6. Lock up all the corrupt thieves, then investors will gain confidence. Start with ‘bijou’ Chiluba, Chungu, Katele and company…

  7. Why dont you want us to talk about Chinese investors. The other day i bought a G String. Akasushi fye kamo yapantuka !

  12. People, why are Chiluba and Sata rantings ever reported? Chiluba must be told to shut up once and for all as he is now so irrelevant that even flies must be allowed to feast on him. Sata too must be told to watch TV and see what the Obama wind of change means to world politics. There is simply no room for illiterate politicans anymore.

  15. Ba Pande you think political partties are scaring your so called investors.No you have to be serious guys.that’s why will never progress mu Zambia.You give investors too much power such that they start killing the owner of the country.South african do not tolarate that here.ama Chiness,ba Mwenye,somalian tababosa kuno nomba imwe you even bring ba masai ati investors.Shame on you.Iam planning to invest in my contry in future,you will see efyo mukandyamo as if am not a Zedian,but you dont demand tax from your fake investors.So Pande keep your ka mouth shut,before I deal with you. ~X(~X(~X(~X(~X(~X(

  16. imwe ba pande, zambia is like a prostitute with its legs wide open. any fly by night investors can walk and ra.pe our economy with the complicit of you leaders. i think we need michael sata’s voice to scare the living lights out of the so-called investors who are basically criminals. i mean, what do you expect from nigerian investors, really?

  20. dull creaturs !!!! always investors why cant you help Zambians invest as well…. Silly Mpande. Oppening mines every where and yet you are saying diversification is the only otion for our economy. dull creatures. You cant even plan for posterity, if you finish the all copper today what is Zambia going to be?? Dulll creaturs indeed. plan for the income. Be pround of your country and let those silly infestors know you mean bussiness.
    Dont scare infestors….dull creatures of Zambia…..
    8-x8-x:-t:-t~X(~X(~X(~X(

  21. Alabwafya pa zed, investors if they are not doing well for the people of Zambia of course they should be scared. Not just using our resources to make them profits.
    <:-p[-x:-@

  22. Pande mwana stop ukubosa…i know you very well..
    you guys welcome street boys from china with $5000 in pockets as investors?
    Even BA MAUREEN’s G-string is worthy more than a salaula bell chinese boys bring. let our boys talk bcoz soon kawalala is coming home as an investor.

  26. guys, read martin meredith’s book” the state of africa: a history of fifty years of independence”. mobutu used to tell his people to “ibana mayele” steal but bit by bit. in short most of african leaders particularly at independence were lunatics of sorts. unfortunately, even now.

  30. Pande’s advice is very good to all politicians who have Zambia in their interest.
    But for politicians whose agenda is centred on them getting to state house for the purpose of their selfish interest this will irritate their ears.
    Of course expect all of us to know that threatening violency during elections and threatening demonstrations after elections is not appealing to any investor.
    So these politicians must understand that they are leaders and aught not to misguide people. There is no need for any true leader to make governance difficult for those in government just for the sake of his interest which he hopes will propel him to ‘state house’. Such acts are obviously a shame.

  34. Yes that’s right sir, don’t ukula bwabwata fye. constructive criticism is better mwe. Zambian politicians have to be more inclusive and listen to opposition parties, the people of Zambia and stakeholders such as investors, foreign or local sure!!!

  38. (Reuters) – John Atta Mills of Ghana’s opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) won the presidential election, the electoral commission said on Saturday.

    He will succeed President John Kufuor, who is due to stand down on January 7 after serving the maximum two elected four-year terms allowed by the West African state’s constitution.

  39. Pande are you not just worried about another nevers mumba kind of victim or what.Olo waona tuma investors tyama mining companies.Bola panshi daddy

  40. Opposition candidate John Atta Mills has won a tight presidential run-off in Ghana, saying he will be “a president for all”. Electoral officials announced the result after the last constituency to vote showed him extending his lead over his rival, Nana Akufo-Addo. BBC News

  43. I am quite aware that there are many oposition leaders who understand the implication of certain statements on the nation.
    Who also have the interest of Zambia at heart as opposed to selfish desires of getting to state house at all costs, even at the expense of the very plight of Zambians from whom they want a vote.
    I will be able to state with confidence that people like Miyanda (Heritage), HH (UPND), Tilyenji (UNIP), Sakwiba (ULP) do understand the importance of maintaining and atimosphere of confidence in the country.
    But the problem is with one major party which I have not mentioned here but which I know all of us here know very well. That’s why I have found it unnecessary to mention.

  44. #42. Big brother NJ

    “Bwana Pande where are you going to find any investor to day, to scare? They are also “broke” now!!!”

    I would like to differ with that view my friend.
    There are many investors that have the money but they are not sure which environment is safe to invest in. For example there is a lot of uncertainties in the industry including the financial markets in the West, a scenario that may not be exactly the same in Zambia.
    So you would find that people with cash and avoiding the high risk of investment in these countries would see Africa as a safer place to invest.
    This is time to identify unique advantages existing in various countries for owners to make progress.

  45. #43, you are absolutely right. It is that mad cow called Sata and its blind followers who make irresponsible statements. The old man Sata and his madness can wreck investor confidence as they are always claiming there is tension in the country. And yet we all know that the tension Sata is talking about in his head which has failed to understand why he will NEVER be president of Zambia. Happy new year well meaning Zambians and may the lord take Chiluba and Sata away for Zambia’s peace and tranquility.

  46. I admit I don’t always read everything before I comment. Mostly, I just read the headline & AFTER reading some of the comments, I then decide whether the story is worth reading or not. I think some topics (like investment) have been discussed several times on this blogg so there’s nothing new to be said that has not already been said. These are the stories I skip…I would rather lavish myself in the glory of being first to say “nambala one”!!!:)

  47. ” Don’t scare away investers, Pande warns politicians ”

    Someone should warn Kabinga Pande that he should stop acting like a representative for foreign investors, and start acting like the representative of the people who voted for him.

  48. 2. Dobo Banton(9th).LLB,

    ” Only thing that can scare investors is them not exploiting the nationals. Investors worst fear is an educated country with equitable distribution of wealth . Right now zambia is an investor’s wet dream ”

    Absolutely. They don’t share profits, don’t reinvest profits locally, don’t pay taxes, don’t need to obey labour or environmental laws.

    And with the credit crunch, they are more than happy to scale down operations as they please. And now they have the MMD politicians living in fear of them leaving.

    Maybe the MMD should change their name to the Party Of Pimps, because all they are good at is selling Zambia’s economy down the river.

  49. Did any of the people living in the US participate in the Teleconference call for the Passport pettion, if so what was discussed? Thank you.

  50. Of course I expect all of us to know that threatening violency during elections and threatening demonstrations after elections is not appealing to any investor.
    So these politicians must understand that they are leaders and aught not to misguide people. There is no need for any true leader to make governance difficult for those in government just for the sake of his interest which he hopes will propel him to ’state house’. Such acts are obviously a shame.

  51. I took part in it #49 I recorded a bit of it might upload it if I can reduce it’s size. it is still going on

  52. Pande should remember that he was elected in the bye-election because LPM said oil had been discovered in N/Western Province. Where is the oil?
    ALL the Zambian politicians are very good at attracting foreign businessmen and chasing away qualified Zambians. SHAME

  53. Pande,i have always thought that you are distinguished from most of these other ministers. But i have seen nonsense in what you said here. Why should we be treating these chinese investers like eggs? They dont even care,they just make profit and go back leaving the poor Zambian employees yauning with hunger.Our laws are very weak and useless.We need true investors not this nonsense!

  54. What investors? Zambia can only attract brief case investors. With such a ewak infrasture, no serious investor can rish his money. its like building a castle on sand! Your only hope are asian shop owners, chinese flea markets and scrap metal dealers masquerading as miners.

  56. Guys, Pande has said it clearly. The man seen to be working in his area. That’s a progress we need. To see some projects being commission in his area gives me an indication that he is working.
    But that do not mean that you should give investors all the powers to abuse a citizen. You should equally advise your investors how valueable a Zambia is.

  57. I dont know the kind of agreements which this government make with investors.Because the zambian employees are not protected at all. People at the labour offices are weak and toothless.Besides giving the zambian employee peanuts,they also miststreat them like dogs. Are we stil in colonial rule? We dont need investors who come to Zambia,open shops in kamwala and start selling shoes and clothes .We need investors who wil open up manufacturing companies and make products of good quality. This wil in turn increase employment opportunities and improve the economy. When we tell the investors what we want,it doesnt mean that we are scaring them pande. It is because of such talk,that investors come from South Africa do business without paying tax for years. When you tell them to pay tax they go back with a lot of money. Without paying the poor Zambian employees.Pantu malabatumpilka sana!

  58. #56. LUBINDA MWIPIHI
    I agree with you on this one.
    Because people must know that opportunities dont move from one country to another looking for those who would grab them, rather it is people who go round looking for opportunities.
    This means that their is effort from the government to look for investors by marketing what we have in the country.
    This is a positive step and needs to be commended.
    Those who dont know the word ‘commend’ they can continue to use the ‘condemn’, there is no problem for such will always be there in any society. Even education will not get rid of them.

  59. #57. Chewe
    Show any agreement made by this govt where people are complaining.
    I believe you dont have any single example, otherwise table it.

  60. DO we honestly have competent people who can run the government of Zambia.I was reading about Rupiah and him being so tired that he needed a vacation because he works so hard.
    What is working hard? can someone explain it to me?

  61. #60. combinedsun,
    May be we need newer and younger guys on the seen, not the likes of the over 50s like SATA, RB, etc. Even this man HH he will be getting too old by next 2 elections if he doesn’t get it in 2011, which I think he wont.

  62. #60. combinedsun,
    May be we need newer and younger guys on the seen, not the likes of the over 50s likes SATA, RB, etc. Even this man HH he will be getting too old by next 2 elections if he doesn’t get it in 2011, which I think he wont.

  63. Mr Fine!

    I think Chewe is ok.He has acknowledged that he doesn’t know any kind of agreement,but I agree with all he has said.Pa Zed we kind of worship the investors to an extent where we give them too much Authority than they the authority the govt itself have.Where on earth can an investor be allowed to shoot employees for freedom of expression? Iam yet to be told of a country where investors are not allowed to pay tax.Fine I know you are on logger heads with Chewe but here he is right.

  64. # 60 there is a difference between working hard and working SMART. I guess our govt has settled on working hard and not SMART.

  65. Fine yes i dont have any copy of the agreements. But even a grade 7 failure can tell that,in these agreements investors are put first instead of a zambian.Hence the bad treatment of Zambians by your investors fine. With that kind of mentality you have with Pande. You wil continue seeing foreigners come to Zambia,make a lot of money and go back using your own resources.Whilst you are watching and sleeping.Until you wil have no copper. Why cant the government promote local investors?there are Zambians with huge capital,but they are not favoured by the government.Especially if they support an opposition.They wil be followed until there business collapse.

  66. The first Performance appraisal on this Govt by the Zambian people will be held on 1st Feb 09 based on the 3 months probation period.The second performance appraisal will be held 1st May 09 based on the 6 months probation period afterwhich the Zambian people will decide based on the outcome whether to ask them to resign honourably or if the performance is positive then a yearly performance appraisal will be conducted on 1st November of each year until the elections in 2011.This will apply to every Govt that will ever rule Zambia.LT please come up with topics relevant to these assessments on the due date to give an opportunity to Zambians to fairly & objectively assess the Govt.

  67. I agree with ALL you guys commenting on these investors in our country. Mpande and Rupiah Banda should be shamefulof themselves. Does Mpande know how this so called investors mistreat and underpay us Zambians? let mpande & Rupiah know that foreigners will never develop this country but we Zambian. Make pollicies that will favour a Zambian who will invest in the country and develop it. Thats why we need change of govt. so that things can improve but as for now MMD has nothing to offer to Zambians.

  68. #44 Fine.
    I thumbed you up on 30.And totally agree with the points you have raised in 44.
    The case I hoped to advance was that of too many mouths with too few cakes.
    And luck of infrasture to support and sustain well meaning investors.
    THANKS.

  70. There`s is nothing wrong in attracting foreign investment to our nation.The problem is that the govt has failed to capitalise on the investment that can be generated from attracting Zambians both locally and in the diaspora.If someone took time to check the different flags next to our ID`s on this blog tells of the potential forex and investment that can be tapped from people that are more that willing to invest in their own country.What the govt must realise is that we have the same access to the resources these so called foreign investors have but unfornatetly we`re given a raw deal by our own govt.All we ask for is to have a level playing field.

  71. Passport Petition Teleconference
    Saturday January 3rd,2009
    Time: 11:00 am ( Central Time) USA time

    Listen and Download
    w w w.zshare.net/audio/5364952916ea58d9/

  72. Shame again on Zambian with only an interest to condemn and insult, new year be objective please. If you look at the US economy, how much money is from outside? same case in britain and other developed nations. How can Zambian alone develop zambia, if you have money go home and invest instaed of just saying zambians, hose mines need money to operate.What we need is yes good policies that empower zambians such as access to loans, but this also needs money. Stop complaining and be proactive. Happy NEW YEAR Zambians.

  73. QUESTION TO EVERYONE: WHY DOES ZAMBIA NEED FOREIGN INVESTORS AT ALL?

    * To “bring money”

    But we have massive reserves, against which the government can borrow for actual production and development. The government can even print money itself. So why do we need foreign investors to ‘bring money’?

    * To bring technology

    But we have unemployed UNZA graduates and we could send them abroad to study, like the Japanese did. That is how they turned Demming’s quality control methods into Kaizen.

    So why are foreign investors so necessary, that we should sacrifice the mines to them?

  74. THIS CHAP PANDE IS A JOKER. FIRST HE DID NOT DISCLOSE WHAT NEGATIVE THINGS OTHER PARTIES ARE SAYING TO SCARE AWAY THE INVESTORS. SECONDLY, HE HAS NO CLUE AT ALL WHAT SCARES THE INVESTORS. FREEDOM OF SPEECH CAN NEVER SCARE THE INVESTORS. POOR LEADERSHIP LIKE THE CURRENT CAN.

  75. #5. WHICH POINT HAS PANDE MADE? I WISHED TO HERE WHAT OTHER LEADERS ARE SAYING THAT IS SCARING AWAY MONIED PIPO, BUT TO NO AVAIL. BUT YOU ARE RIGHT ON SAYING INVESTORS ARE ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT GOVT POLICIES. POOR UTTERANCES SUCH AS THIS FROM A MINISTER LEAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR LEADERS’ CREDIBILITY. VILLAGERS WILL GET SCARED AND VOTE FOR RUBBISH.

  76. #7 BA MAUREEN. TROUBLE IS THE CHINESE USE COTTON MADE FROM THE DOGS’ PUBERTY HAIR TO MAKE MATERIAL FOR THOSE G-STRINGS. NEXT TIME TRY BUYING THOSE MADE IN FRANCE. THE FRENCH ARE VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT FASHION.

  77. #70 CHAPI.
    Thats another valid point you have brought into this blog.
    Can you imagine if all the zambians in the diaspora were incouraged to save their earnings in any currency back home how much, forex the local banks would have to lend out?
    We can learn from Mexico and the Philipines on this point.

  78. #77 Big Brother. You have beaten me to that. I wanted to stress that point of Mexico and the Philipines, too. But, you see for anyone to have confidence and trust in a colleague, they must also have confidence and trust in themselves. Zambian politicians can never formulate laws that favour potential Zambian investors living abroad. Because, they are dull, and lack self trust and confidence and they are very conscious of this fact. So, as they realise and feel they have defficiencies, they think even us (though living abroad and exposed to very high standards) are as them. So, they will always favour a lighter skin investor, to you and me. Do you think rb can ve trust in you?

  79. cntd. Libya is in Africa. But, to rb they have a lighter complexion and their hair is straight and therefore, brainier. Trust me on that. Unless Zambians had to elect a leader who believes in himself and therefore, confident that zambians in diaspora will be looked upon as people who can ably invest in their country.

  80. zambian workers get insulted and called all sorts of names by most of these so called investors and the goverment doesn’t give a damn!mr pande save all that fluffy talk and tell your counterpart in the works ministry to get to protecting our workers and seeing to the betterment of thier working conditions. :-l:-l:-l

  81. Ba Peter, I pity you my friend, why do you guys pretend to be smarter than everyone else when the only thing you truly are is opposition without credibility. Dont you remember the UNIP days when people from Hill Crest amd Mplemembe were sent abroad?, where are they? still in diapsora.Print money, i love that idea, ever heard of inlation? I really wish we had a forum where we could call in and bebate these issues as opposed to coming up with fake theories> Perception is key in Economics and that is why any responsible politician won’t create fake instability in the country. When politicans are quiet you say they know nothing, if they talk they don’t know what to say. :d

  82. Ba diaspora, why do you guys pretend to be smarter than everyone else when the only thing you truly are is opposition without credibility. Dont you remember the UNIP days when people from Hill Crest amd Mplemembe were sent abroad?, where are they? still in diapsora.Print money, i love that idea, ever heard of inlation? I really wish we had a forum where we could call in and bebate these issues as opposed to coming up with fake theories> Perception is key in Economics and that is why any responsible politician won’t create fake instability in the country. When politicans are quiet you say they know nothing, if they talk they don’t know what to say. :d

  83. One Zambia One nation. We need smart people in Zambia, think you have better ideas and policies, go back and either join the govt or stand for elections.

  84. zed blocks and chicks. I am again advising you to wake up on these news banks. these investers are coniving with some big fish in Z to open these banks as a way of making money.
    One day you will up to a rude shock just to find out that the ka bank is liquidated and cannot withdraw your money. Ofcourse some big fish are behind these white colla rackets to see to it that these guys are protected politicaly and legaly. Then they will pocked up you hard earned dollar! choose banks wisely!!!!!1.
    Bank of Z I beg you to closely monitor and make sure the burstards operate with enough security deposits in the central bank!!!!!

  86. #79 PETER.
    So much untapped wealth and human resource right under their noses,but they can not see it.
    Not to long ago China gave ZNS agriculture equipment,whats become of that? Now we are receiving more agri equipment from Libya,we must be a dumping ground of all absolute farm machinary must I SAY?
    Does the gov bother to check with the farmers what equip they require so they target the DONARS to fullfill a need rather being given spade when you need a hoe for instance!!!!

  87. #82 Chintonfwa.
    Please do not get us wrong when people flat ideas or theories or a forum like this,I for one am not saying I have answers to zeds problems,just discussing issues is learning from one another,and we must with respect agree to see issues differently.
    Good day.

  88. #72 Chintonfwa.
    If you can let me answer your question specifically on who has invested in the USA economy ?
    Saudi Arabia literally owns the usa economy.For interests sake listen to this view point by micheal moore in his documentary FAHRENHIET 9/11.

  89. Mr Pande,Bwana Minister.WHAT INVESTORS?,u mean exploiters!!Why Why ,dont u give chance to our local people.See the flags on this website.These r people waiting for u to make business field conducive to carry on making wealth in Zambia .But no,give oppurtunities to foreginers.Passport,Ati impossible.Bringing utility vehicles-ZRA red tape.Exorbitant duty,even tractors,to produce food,shame.ZRA revenue??they collect above target,no accoutability.
    Bwana Minister,In three years give oppurunity to Zambians,there r millions waiting,and u will be voted in power.Chapwa!! :)>-:-\”

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