A LOCAL firm Pick n Pay Zambia has projected an investment plan of US$ 27 million to open seven corporate stores in Zambia during the first five years and 13 stores within 10 years.
The company, which was incorporated on July 28, 2009 as part of the well-established Pick n Pay Group of Companies with retail operations in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe as well as in Australia would roll out its investment plan in phases.
Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) director general, Andrew Chipwende said the total projected investment which Pick n Pay Zambia was expected to create was estimated at 1,000 jobs during the first five years.
Mr Chipwende said most people to be employed would be Zambians while a insignificant number of expatriate staff would provide necessary training to Zambians for capacity building and transfer of skills for self-sustainability.
Speaking in Lusaka yesterday during the 2010 first quarter media briefing, Mr Chipwende said many sectors of the Zambian economy recorded tremendous investment inflows during the period under review with Pick n Pay Zambia planning to open a number of outlets in Zambia.
“Investors have shown increased confidence in the Zambian economy during the first quarter of this year. Their confidence can be attested by the huge foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow of $1.3 billion ZDA recorded in the quarter,” he said.
Mr Chipwende also said the construction and operational phases of the world class commercial centre at Manda Hill would stimulate a lot of local business activities on the Copperbelt and beyond both directly or indirectly through the multiplier effect by providing the necessary goods and services to support the core business activities.
During the first quarter, ZDA initiated consultations for 308,000 hectares of land in Mansa, Petauke, Nyimba, Solwezi and Sesheke for commercial production of various agricultural products.
The agency was acquiring land from traditional leaders for prospective investors and has since urged those interested to invest to apply for land.
ZDA facilitated acquisition of 13 visas and 14 immigration permits for investors during the first quarter.
On progress on the partial privatisation of Zamtel, Mr Chipwende was hopeful that all the various procedures would be concluded by June this year.
The partial privatisation entered the second phase of the bidding process during the first quarter of 2010.
Four bidders, who earlier submitted non-binding bids in December 2009, were allowed to conduct further due diligence during the quarter.
These were LAP Green of Libya, Unitel Cables of Angola, BSNL of India and Ultimo of Russia.
Three of the bidders with the exception of BSNL submitted binding bids on March 12, 2010.
Mr Chipwende said the next phase would involve negotiations and actual implementation of the partial privatisation of Zamtel.
He said 133 Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) applications for MSE certificates were approved during the first quarter with a total investment of more than K7.6 billion.
The total investment by MSEs is expected to create 833 direct and indirect job opportunities in the provinces in which the enterprises are located.
Mr Chipwende said most of the companies that received MSE certificates were currently in operation.
On the general economic outlook, Mr Chipwende said 2010 looked positive given the favourable performance in the first quarter.
The macro-economic fundamentals had remained strong which he said was good for investment and export promotion.
[Times of Zambia]
but l thought this company existed at one time and had shops in filling stations, or its a different one..??
Good news. We need competition to Shoprite and Spar.
This is good news.
Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Spar are all foreign! Owned by bamwisaaa! We neeed Zambian! Bring back Mwaiseni, ZCBC etc!!!!
We neeed Zambian supermarkets selling Zambian grown vegetables and fruits and Zambian made products! Build Zambia, Buy Zambian!
even when those stores are opened you will be the first to open your mouths and say theres corruption
This is good news. Welcome P&P.
#5 Iyeee! Please be serious. No one has stopped Zambians from setting up supermarkets. Do you know Zcbc and Mwaiseni went out of business? These were owned by Govt. Are you saying Govt should own and run supermarkets?
Mindboggling.
From what I read is that expansion will take place after 5 years. My fear is that most of these companies have their investments repaid in 5 years and thereafter they opt to leave as happened in the Kwik Save case. ZDA should get assurance that should be passed on to the Zambians that these guys are not here to make a quick buck because our tax regime is attractive to them. We need more analysis from ZDA.
Good news here. My only concern is that most of the time foreign investors do not show good attitudes towards Zambian employees. 1. We need strong workers unions that will keep things in check. It’s no secret that abuse is rampant in most of these companies. Employees need someone to speak for them. 2. Expatriates should be given a short period to train locals; they should leave once this is achieved. Further training of these employees should continue either locally or abroad to raise standards even further.**==
Welcome Pick n Pay lovely supermarket in SA.
The more retail outlets that will pay the producer on time the better. It’s not just a case of having ZCBC or Mwaiseni back. The reason we have CEEC funds is for Zambians to access these funds for re-tooling their industries so that they can manufacture goods from local materials to international standards for retail in these super markets and not the other way round. Zambian goods and services are not bad per se but the packaging is really bad. I have been to some Executive Lodges for example that are over furnished to the extent they look stupid. The local bread is another which is poorly packaged. Local fruits, eggs, soaps, and vegetable oils they are all really good yet very poorly packaged compared to their imported counter goods-our produce and products are just as good as many in…
many in the world in terms of ingredients/raw materials used. Yes, we need more retail outlets after all we are a consumer economy aren’t we?
This is welcome although I also feel wealth Zambians should emulate this & start a retail chain store that will be Zambian owned & support zambia’s agro sector as well.
I also welcome this investment but we needed zambians with equity (they usually put zambians as fronts with less than 10% equity) so that we avoid capital flights and put pressure on our already weak kwacha.we hope our SMEs will be able t improve on their products and supply them with stock.
😕 lets wait and see.
5years expansion,hopw thwy will not change names:-?
\:d/ PnP will give the much needed competition to Shoprite ! They have literally monopolised the retail market in Zambia, that is why their customer service was almost aloof. Even here, i ‘d rather shop at PnP for fresh fruits & vegies than anywhere. When they say quality, be prepared to get your money’s worth. Dont settle for rotten apples which would be scared to sell in their own countries ! Just a friendly warning ! I remember visiting Shoprite in Kitwe town, and was shocked to i find myself in a long queue just to buy a loaf of bread. It never happens at Shoprite retails here in South Africa, but why it happens there is mindboggling. Although, i ve got a pretty good idea, why……….!
Welcome pick n pay we have seen the fulfilment of your investments,Woodlands,Levy Junction park,Makeni,Ndola,Kitwe and Luanshya pick n pay very soon congratulations.