Friday, March 29, 2024

Iam impressed with Zambia’s economy-RB

Share

President Rupiah Banda says he is impressed with the country’s economy which he said has become stable despite the global financial crisis.

President Banda said the lending and growth of interest rates in the banking institutions has also continued to grow hence the stability of financial institutions.

He said it is important for the country to implement its programmes as people expect the political leadership to perform diligently.

Mr Banda said this at a swearing ceremony were he swore in Ministers and Permanent Secretaries and State House staff at State House in Lusaka today.

The people that were sworn in include Eustackio Kazonga as Local government minister, Solomon Musonda as Deputy Minister in the ministry of heath, Sikubele Mwapela as Western Province Minister.

Others sworn in include Personal Physician for the President Dr Shailan Desai and Charles Kachikoti as chief analyst for Press and Public Relations at Sate House. Former Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Teddy Mulonga was sworn in as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Sports Youth and Child Development.

Sherrie Thole was sworn in as permanent secretary at Science and Technology Ministry while Timothy Hakuyu was sworn in as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.

The President emphasized that there is need for the new Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Health to assist the ministry in delivering better services to the people.

Mr Banda noted that the ministry of health is an important ministry which needs to perform its functions well.

The President also urged the new Local Government and Housing Minster Mr Kazonga to ensure that he works well in the ministry of local government by implementing programs up to village level.

ZANIS

87 COMMENTS

  1. Iam not impressed at all because my relatives can not even manage to send their children to school no matter how much they work, and can not even manage to eat two meals a day;; and others can not even find food to eat they have no jobs as for RB it is okey

  2. The annual inflation rate for the month of November 2009 has declined to 11.5% from 12.3% October 2009. [QFM News Zambia]

    Yes the economy is stabilizing and is also growing. Zambia has recorded GDP growth of up to 6.1% when forecasts pointed to 5% or less. The economy is doing great. The banks dropping their interest rates is also a good sign of this economic growth.

  3. I have always said the UK and America would be more than chuffed with a growth of even 1%. Zambia`s growth is what did I see? Yeah 6.1%. lol!

  4. If a percentage growth of 6.1% meant anything, then we should be catching up with the world`s biggest economies. Well done MMD! lol!

  5. Here are Zambia’s historic economic growth numbers
    2000 1.5%
    2001 4%
    2002 3.9%
    2003 4.2%
    2004 4%
    2005 4.6%
    2006 5%
    2007 5.8%
    2008 6%
    2009 6.1%

    These numbers are significant. Comparing the UK economy to a poor economy like Zambia is silly. Here is an example, 2 Investors invest their money. One investing K100,000 and the other investing K100,000,000. The one who invested K100,000 gets 10% interest whereas the other gets 3% interest. If you compare the numbers, it would seem silly for the second investor to invest in a 3% return when the other gets 10% but looking at the amount of investment, the second clearly gets more. This is why the UK would celebrate even 1.5%. The UK is a bigger economy than Zambia. Zambia needs big GDP numbers to make significant progress in the…

  6. This is why 6.1% GDP growth is good. It shows that the economy is moving at a fast pace and looking at the historic figures, the numbers are set to get even better.

    Arrogance and hatred for the current administration is making others become so negative about their country forgetting numbers do not lie. The numbers speak for themselves.

  7. Mr Capitalist we dont see the life of ordinary get better but worse n worse so what is the benefit of the 6% when the people are getting poor and poorer. im not an economist but i think at some point the growth needs to show in the peoples lives.the economic growth should grow enough to improve the standards of living not just figures.we hear figures all the time yet no change on the ground…

  8. @@@@@@@@@

    Actually poverty levels are going down. They have gone down from 80% to 60%. Even though the poverty levels are still high and worrying, they have gone down.

    I think people have a bias when looking at Zambia. They have prejudged view when looking at Zambia probably because their candidate of choice is not in power.

  9. The percentages in post #9 reflect a magnificent 45.1% growth over the years! Amazing that is! Like I said we should be catching up with the worlds` best if figures were anything to go by. Have to go and watch Tennis now. Channel 408 for all Tennis fans. HD!

  10. 45.1% if you sum them all up. But maybe you should try to divide that figure by 10, you’ll get a much more reflective average growth over 10 years of about 4.51%. Enjoy your tennis.

  11. I am indeed. Del Potro doing really well. Am I being thick by saying 45.1% or was it scary to you? Yeah right 4.51% so what? The economy should have grown by 45.1% over the years! Simples! (I hope you`ve seen the ad). I am gone now. Have a very good night. Busy weekend for me. Will be at the Emirates from 2 Oclock to 6, then at the O2 Arena to watch the tennis finals. What`s yours like Capitalist? Cheers man and take care. God bless bye bye!

  12. Does this man have any vision for our country? How can he say he is impressed with the economy when there’s still so much to be done to improve the living standard of the Zambian people? The economy may be stable for MMD, bankers and financial institutions but the masses are still suffering.

  13. The other day there was some usual empty rhetoric by one Lawrence Nyambe Chairman of Agriculture in UPND on the offical launch of the planting season by president Banda at Monze. He said that Banda did not know what he was doing because the planting season ended two weeks ago. Now, doesn’t Nyambe know that an official launch is a symbolic act, in this case symbolising the commitment of government? If planting were to physically wait for the president’s busy schedule, would we ever plant in time? Does he think that when a road is officially commissioned it means that it is the first time it is being used? Who then is a dunderhead, Nyambe and his UPND or RB? And this is the kind of rubbish that passes for sense in this country!

  14. #16 Those are the standard economic measures of the progress of any modern country country in the world. Those indicators simply tell an intelligent mind that there are more opportunities. The masses get the trickle down from such progress as the price of mealie meal will remain stable, or they may get some employment. However those individuals who want a bigger share of the progress use their intelligence and work hard, and will not waste their time getting brainwashed by mmembe and company. Free lesson, okay Nine Chale and others?

  15. I think MMD is trying to infiltrate these discussion groupa, be aware on the misleading propaganda by imbeciles like Capitalist, Fibre and Magicroundabout. There postings smell of MMD BS.

  16. this is BS. we are not interested in self praisal about the economy grouth in percentages and fractions when you can’t even acount for the number of jobs that have been created since you came into power.Obama & Blair have no time to go to the pulpit and give such records, their performance is checked by the amount of new jobs created and easy access to housing loans by an ordinary citizen such as government workers. my grand mother in the village doesn’t need to know GDP, inflation, graphs or aggregate ratios of economics for her to know that the life is improving or Banda is doing good. please banda keep those number to your self and business world. have u distributed fertilizer? how many government worker got loans for homes? how many students got bussaries to Universities…

  17. The economy has grown that we can’t deny. there’re even new mines in n\western. the problem is absolute lack of planning by govt. they haven’t broadened the tax base, mines don’t even pay enough tax, there’s also infrastructure development etc. can u imagine n.h.a builds expensive houses when they should be able to build lower cost houses. govt needs to know that most people (voters) aren’t economists interested in figures, but human beings who want decent wages, better roads in their neighbourhoods, decent health and education and lower tax

  18. What am trying to say is infrastructure is not growing with the economy, it’s actually declining. due to the lack of proper planning we spend more resources repairing and rehabilitating infrastructure than we do on expanding and creating it. copper should not be transported by road at all but by rail, nha should build low cost (as in low low cost), medium cost and high cost. a maid or gardener also needs decent accommodation.

  19. How does the 6.1% growth help a poor peasant farmer in the rural areas? People talking economics please educate us on how that has improved a poor woman life in Shang’ombo. Paper-wise yes, it is a good thing but people are not interested in figures that they cant interpret into their day to day lives. Whose life has improved by the figure apart from RB himself? Its like people like ‘Mr Capitalist’ are celebrating when given a promise note by someone when they haven’t got the actual cash. Money on paper is nothing my dear, cash on hand is what make you know that you have money. Money on paper can never put food on the table. So in short these figures make no sense for as long as my Grandmother in

  20. The Basic Needs Basket (BNB) from Central Statistics Office and JCTR, is a measure that is used to compare economic growths benefiting the masses,The BNB exposes this household struggle to meet basic needs by comparing the findings with average take-home wages and general household incomes. at the moment the BNB for an average family of 6 for the moneth of November is K2,200,630(JCTR), (teacher/nurse salary @ about K1,800,000)This is against the backdrop of proclamations of increased sustained economic growth and employment creation in documents such as 2010 Fifth National Development Plan which has riled Lambas in a statement by state house economist.At the moment there are 400,000 people in formal employment out of a labourforce of 6,000,000 in lsk only

  21. Senility comes in many forms. You see things which others don’t see. Especially if you have f.oo.l.s like Capitalist to always comfort you that you are on the right path…burying your head in the sand.

  22. Obviously Banda has to be impressed with the performance of the economy judging by the size of his neck! Things are really doing well for him and his cronies. If you really want to know whether the economy is doing well, ask the person who goes bed on an empty stomach.

  23. The economic gains are as a result of Mwanawasa and his government both opposition and MMD. Mwanawasa even appointed opposition Mps into Ministers and other governmental heads. In short as bullish as he was LPM atleast evoked democracy; Banda is too UNIP kaundaish to even try. LPM had his legacy, mr. RB you only have two years to set yours up. Apart from that let independent investors be given leway to grow with no bumps.

  24. #23 you right. Those statistics do not matter as they show how much the rich are getting richer. U will suprised that civil servants and pipo in villages and compounds are worse off than they were a year ago. Its high time Rupiah went back to his farm. The guy is good for a clown.

  25. course u’re impressed with the economy, u had nuthin to do with it and thank the lord u had nuthin to do with it RB coz everthin u touch turns to mush!

  26. Ba Capitalist where are you getting these bogus figures from? The figures below are November 2009 State Department findings and are 100% authentic. Can you cite your sources at least to give some legitimacy to your figures. I am not being academic but realistic.

    About two-thirds of Zambians live in poverty. Per capita annual incomes are well below their levels at independence and, at $1,500, place the country among the world’s poorest nations. Social indicators continue to decline, particularly in measurements of life expectancy at birth (about 39 years) and maternal mortality (101 per 1,000 live births). The country’s rate of economic growth cannot support rapid population growth.
    Annual growth rate (2009, projected): 4.3%.
    Per capita GDP (2008, current prices): $1,500.

  27. #14 Capitalist. I don`t know what sort of an Economist you are you can not work out simple maths. Not bashing you here but if you run a company successfully and it shows average growth of 4.51% each year for 10 years, it will have in the end grown 45.1% Now that is humungous! If Zambia`s economy was growing like it has in your mind, we would been getting closer and closer to the developed countries. Reality says something else though. Morning bloggers!

  28. #14 Capitalist. I don`t know what sort of an Economist you are who can not work out simple maths. Not bashing you here but if you run a company successfully and it shows average an growth of 4.51% each year for 10 years, it will have in the end grown 45.1% Now that is humungous! If Zambia`s economy was growing like it has in your mind, we would have been getting closer and closer to the developed countries. Reality says something else though. Morning bloggers!

  29. “President Banda said the lending and growth of interest rates in the banking institutions has also continued to grow hence the stability of financial institutions.”
    THIS STATEMENT DOENT MAKE SENSE

  30. Magicroundabout

    That 45.1% is very misleading (IMO). It does not reflect the true ability of your company. The best you can do is find out on an average of 10 years, by what percentage your company has grown. Sure if you add them up it gives you 45.1% but what does the 45.1% tell you? The way I look at it, an average over a period of time gives you a picture of how well the economy has done as opposed to the sum. 4.5% considering the beginning dismal numbers is not bad at all.

    I guess I am looking at it on a pure expectations theory aspect. I don’t know which aspect you are looking at it from.

  31. Is this growth supported by a change in unemployment figures? What economic sectors grew? Is it agriculture, manufacturing, mining, banking, or someone’s pocket economy grew at State House? ZESCO just announced some serious load shedding on the way, why and how in the booming economy as Banda wants us to believe. Funny part in all these is that our “economist” President announces all these while no one backs him up apart from some cadres on LT.

  32. Morning Capitalist. Look I am not disputing the fact that it`s 4.51% on average. But surely over the years it`s 45.1%. Lets look at it this way. You have got 50 pence. At the end of the year you end up with 75 pence. The following year £1, the other year £1.25 and the same thing happens for a total of 10 years. Surely you are not going to say over ten years I have only made 25 pence. It will have to be the total one has made over a ten year period. Am I being thick?

  33. Good morning Magicroundabout (though it is evening for me).

    In your example, you would say that over ten years, your money has grown by an average of 25 pence and still be correct. You cannot say you have made 25 pence but your money has grown by an average of 25 pence. That is why I am saying the 45.1% is misleading (IMO) because what does it really tell you? Over 10 years you have grown the economy by 45.1%? fine that is good but on average of 10 years, what has your economy grown by? what percentage on average has it grown by?

  34. every economic growth ideally should be able to move a common citizen a step away from living in abject poverty and honestly, under RB, i can’t see any reason for him to be impressed about the economic growth.Ba Capitalist, Fibre & Magicroundabout please don’t try to impress us with figures.we are simply not interested. Let the growth reflect to a man in mbala, chawama, to a teacher and a police officer, to the unemployed UNZA graduates,to a brick layer, to me. Roads are bad, Electricity becoming expensive including massive load shedding, fuel crisis day in day out, salary increments for civil servants always a problem, clinics no drugs plus waiting for hours, road network pathetic, fertilizer distribution marred by corruption, the list is endless.so please spare us the figures MMD…

  35. #44. Other factors obviously come into play hence the reason why the 45.1% looks alarming but rubbish. But realistically it will have been 45.1% growth. It`s reason despite recoding a 6.1% GDP growth, the percentage change still remains zero. I am not an economist by the way.

  36. Capitalist I have agreed with you about percentage growth on average per year. Why don`t you want to agree with the total over the years?

  37. Yes this Zambia Economy is impressive indeed. For the first time in Zambia’s history, the economist are in charge at state house , central bank and ministry of finance and results have began to show. Despite the global crises, Inflation is going down, copper production going up, number of projects approved by ECZ is also on the upswing, poverty levels down and even the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has noted the impressiveness of the Zambian economy. In their 2010 report t, they have listed Zambia among Commonwealth countries that have improved their doing business rankings over the past year. And who has been in charge over the past year-RB

    Don’t be cheated. the Hour is working and the PF boat will just sink this economy.

  38. #46 Chief Analyst. Learn to read before you start shouting. This stated from yesterday and if you look, you will find that I am on your side. I do sympathise with you about jobs, UNZA graduates, imisebo and literally everything you have spoken about. I have to say even in the western world, there are graduates who at the moment can not find jobs (in certain fields). I have a Welsh friend who has had to retrain. Imagine going back to books for another 4 years May be I have to agree with what Capitalist says sometimes. I do not not though agree with you about the fertiliser issue. I think people should demand a change to this though. Fertiliser should not be distributed, it should be made available one way or the other. If only people cried out loud for this!

  39. There comes Bootlicker again with his general analysis. Give us figures, number of projects and how they are benefiting your niece in Chipata, when these projects started and when they are going to finish and what happens after that. Give us what plans the MMD have after completing the prjects at hand. Shouting must have gone with ward chairmen. Any chance you were one?

  40. Chief Analyst

    You cannot expect Zambia to look like Sweden in one day. It takes time and hard work. This is why we need to look at the figures. We need to look at the figures so we can assess how well we are doing in achieving our goal. We have to be serious realistic when criticizing govt. What you have pointed out is significant and the govt is doing everything in terms of planning to curb the problems. It cannot happen in 90 days as some would have you believe. As for UNZA graduates, they must consider self employment and take advantage of the CEEC and many investment opportunities in Zambia. And just a comment on the civil servants, they were seeking a salary increment at a time when things in the economy where uncertain.

  41. Capitalist what`s your comment about fertiliser being distributed? Personally I think government should not distribute fertiliser at all. They should make it available to the people. This is the biggest problem we Zambians have. I would be putting pressure on government making fertiliser available than waiting for them to “distribute” it.

  42. Chief Analysts the UK is the last place you want to live when it comes to umutengo wama light. That reminds me. Got to check my bills! Cheers Capitalist. It was nice talking to you. I have got to go now.

  43. good work rb. dont worry about these hateful bloggers. they are bunch of hopeless armchair critics. iv had the best year. bought so many things. now on my way to the airport for a month long holiday. sili broke bloggers. i wil reply wen i buy a new laptop where im going. later!

  44. The best economics lesson us the unlearned can get is the ability to provide a decent Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner for our families. %s on paper don’t mean ‘s.h.i.t’ if citizens can’t find work, afford food, decent health care (mind you, I own no private jet to fly me to RSA for medicals.), and just the basics of life.

    It is nice to hear Zambia is doing so well, yet sad to be among the poorest!! What the hell does all this mean if Zambian mothers are giving birth in parking lots because nurses/docs are on strike due to poor pay?

  45. Magicroundabout

    On fertilizer, too little information to comment on what is more effective but I believe a market based approach is the best model. Let us see how far the current system goes.

    I think I will also book it. Goodnight all.

  46. Someone here has taken his bootlicking tactics to another level.. you all know whom i referring to. no need to mention names! its in black and white. But i agree, 100% with #58, Yambayamba! As for RB, i dont think he normal.Its is at his age that Old men like him with younger wives start thinking like babies. i forgive him.

  47. Point of correction, RB has been to too many countries within a short period. So am pretty sure sure he was talking about another country’s economy. not Zambia! thanx

  48. Mr. Capitalist,Some of us are not interested in figures but in the ourwelbeing…if this economy has improved, how come am still having one meal per day? the usual pupwe and nshima? you seem to understand these things so well… could please explain to me in the simplest terms what that translates into? Coz i dont understand

  49. I have done extremely well in the past 1 year….I have been to more than 20 countries, my Son’s businesses are making super profits…..they are supplying the nation with fuel, sugar, maize and so on…

  50. The economy on auto pilot has grown! No in put whatsoever! So whom does he give credit for this? Self praise?RB out of touch with reality!

  51. #65 I have an answer for you. Do you know why you are still having one meal a day? You a bum and lazy and all you know is how to complain. Get off your backside and give your service and skills to Zambia and people will reward you in return and you will have 7 meals a day. You expect 10 meals when you don’t even contribute anything to Zambia. GOD provides food for birds, but he does not throw food down their throat. Even birds work to find food!! And you expect RB to deliver 3 meals a day to your door step!! You spoiled bloody Communist. Other people are making money in Zambia and having twenty meals a day why can’t you. What are you waiting. You need to work, you need to earn your money. RB never promised anybody three meals a day. I wonder where you even got that.

  52. # 53 Capital City- CEEC has not helped to assist Zambians become self reliant. They need to put up flexible conditions to assist people to access funds for projects. And when you mention investment opportunities, how do you expect us to compete with the Chinese prisoners whom their government gives loans with flixible conditions for the investments in Zambia? Investments need money, our government needs partner with financing houses to assist Zambians not just talk.

  53. A lot of bloggers here with formal training in economics tend to forget one very fundamental thing. Each and everyone with a half a brain in his head is an economist and people apply economic principles in their everyday lives, even those without any formal training. Fact of the matter is that all these numbers are absolutely meaningless when one sees what is on the ground. Stop getting all these silly numbers from God knows where and speak to an ordinary citizen. After that I doubt all your figures will mean anything. Someone once told me the most foolish people one can find are the highly educated because they tend to lose common sense. After seeing a lot of blog entries on LT, I fully understand why one would make such a statement.

  54. Kwena No. 65 ba kusoka kuli No.70.
    Surely if you have one meal in a day and you live in the UK then there is something amiss about you. At least in the UK you can go where the homeless get free meals. What are you doing in the UK anyway for you to complaign about your one meal per day.

  55. this is growth based on shopping malls and raw matrials. No factories. Trading in natural resources is easy, it leads to the illusion of economic stability. Money flows in — considerable sums of money. Acute problems can be effectively resolved with it. You don’t need any economic reforms; you don’t need to deal with diversifying production. Depleting our natural resoures at an accelerated rate and investing in shopping malls will leave the children of tomorrow nothing but loans and shopping malls.

  56. Its good to know that some people can add and subtract and tell us how much growth has gone up or down %%%%%%. BUT what the f@@@ has that got to do with an ordinary Zambian who leaves in a make shift house, made out of carton boxes picked from the streets. That number of people is growing day by day. The fact is there is no development in Zambia zero. Fuel ques and ZESCO load shadding is that what you call an increase in the economi???? maybe in your pockets MWEMBUSHI MWE YOU ARE PAID TO CHEAT TO US ON THE BLOCK ON THE EXPENSI OF THE DYING REAL ZAMBIANS please reflect on your bootlickin you are actully killing innocent people by supporting RB and his Gang.

  57. Not even one industry has come to life, only copper is being soled at a very cheap price to the yellow investers. Employing chines people to come and sweep the streets in zambia then what are the local people going to do?????? to earn a living. Ndola was once an industriuos town but now only carders rom around the streets threating everyone who seems to think normaly by this I mean not thinking using the empty stomachs like most of you blogging in favor of Kanjila kumwendo, Kafupi and the others. It pains me alot I was home a month ago, i went to see some people in Baulen in Lusaka, chifubu in Ndola , Kapisha in chingola people are dying of hunger there so stop shingering people butter pa menso in broad day light Ba KOLWE WAIT TIME WILL CATCHUP WITH YOU.

  58. RB has every right to be impressed with the Zambian economy.It has afforded him the opportunity to globe trot and find employment for his buddies and relatives.As for the rest of us, we are depressed not impressed.

  59. # 70. MMD chief bootlicker is one damn fool on this blog….how can you tel our sister to look for employ in zambia in the manner you think as if you donk how difficult it is to get a job.Its only Unprincipaled Poeple like you can can get jobs easely because you talk rubbish about R Bish to earn a living…Your boss R Bish is just employing his relatives and MMD cadres. like you en Vetran,Patriot,Senior Citizen,Capitalist and many more fools too numerous to mention.

  60. I need not say much about this topic. My brothers, MMD Chief Bootlicker and Capitalist have so ably explained everything. Only thing I can say is that no wonder a class of 20 pupils one can get 100% and another 0% same teacher same material. Reason one is intelligent and one is dull!! All economies in the world are measured by numbers so if one can’t see numbers then they can jump in the Pacific Ocean for all I care. For that matter in case of Zambia it’s not just numbers talking the effects are there on the ground for all to see that is if they are willing to see. They say to a pessimist the glass is half empty but to a optimist the glass is half full!!! Keep complaining those who wish do so and let us who want to work hard and make money and make Mother Zambia a better place also do…

  61. #80 do not insult others in that manner you do not have the monopoly to blogging let others express their opinions freely. This just goes to show that if the candidate of your choice was in power you would not listen to any advice!! people are just stating facts which you have decided to ignore so don’t insult them let those intelligent enough to reason blog not mulcontents like you NO!!!!!

  62. # 82 Do you need someone to define the word “foolish” and “Insult” for you to Understand what an insult is?

  63. i must say im very disappointed at #70 MMD chief bootlicker for his nonsensical utterances and his complete detachment from reality and for his foolish mockery on a common zambian who is struggling to get a job and later on, be able to endure the problems of low salaries. No wonder you have run away from here, seriously some thing wrong with you up stairs. Only a fool can liken God’s provisions to what RB has provided for zambians. you are really sick and need urgent help. #80 you are right my brother, he must be a relative of RB and a religious cadre to write this rubbish.

  64. #82 mabenga namakando dind’t insult by saying bootlicker is foolish…for all i know, bootlicker is living out of his mind when he makes statements like #65 is some bum and a lazy person who is complaining when he says he has 1 meal a day because he has decided not to work. as much as a line has to be drawn between the intelligent and the dull, the same line must be drwn between the foolish and the wise and in my view the intelligent are mostly the fools. so if you call bootlicker to be the intelligent and yourself, then please think hard and analyze yourselves. but don’t call us dull people when we dont see how the growth translates to good public services and fruits of our labor.

  65. Okay , ican Captialist explain if the Zambian economy is doing so well …let them practice the first step of letting the wealth trickle down to the local Zambians. Increase the wages of teachers, nurses and doctors. This is a practical approach to prove Zambia is doing well economically. These people pay taxes and should stimulate the economy as they spend their money IN Zambia.

  66. Comparing UK percentage growth to Zambia is highly misleading. Malawi or Zambia will need to have a higher growth rate than the US and the UK because it is moving from a low to a high. The UK is already on that high. GDP is actually misleading because one very rich investor taking money into a poor country can raise the GDP when all other sectors have had no investment or growth

Comments are closed.

Read more

Local News

Discover more from Lusaka Times-Zambia's Leading Online News Site - LusakaTimes.com

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading