President Edgar Lungu has castigated some opposition leaders claiming that Zambia is not a favourable destination for trade and investments.
And President Lungu has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to promoting trade and investment as a vehicle of creating jobs, wealth and economic development for Zambians.
Meanwhile, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Margaret Mwanakatwe, says government will soon present a bill to Parliament that will compel business entities to plough back a percentage of their profits in society.
ZANIS reports that President Lungu said contrary to wild claims by some opposition leaders and other detractors, the country is ranked 8th most competitive in Africa on the global competitiveness index.
He explained that Zambia is further ranked seventh in the Sub-Saharan Africa, fifth in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and fourth in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
The Head of State explained that the reforms have also enabled Zambia to be ranked fifth in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and fourth in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
The Global Competitive Index has ranked Zambia highly in terms of ease of doing business.
ZANIS reports that President Lungu said this when he addressed over 250 business executives and captain of industries at the business dinner organised under the Zambia-South Africa Business Council (ZSABC) at the Zambian Mission in Pretoria, South Africa, last night.
“My government has continued to pursue the implementation of the private sector development initiatives that promote and facilitate the development of a competitive private sector,” he said.
And President Lungu has implored business associations to help government translate these rankings of Zambia as the most competitive investment and trade destination into tangible investments.
President Lungu said government is looking to the private sector to augment policies of attracting increased private sector investment that will create wealth and jobs for Zambians.
“The Business Council is further expected to facilitate business interactions and also provide data on regulatory, labour and immigration issues,” he said.
He assured investors that his administration will continue to implement investment climate and economic policies aimed at creating an enabling business environment in order to lure Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and stimulate local investments.
“You are aware that it is a global trend for business councils for the private sector to establish business councils in order to compliment government’s efforts in promoting trade and investments,” he added.
Earlier, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Margaret Mwanakatwe, said government intends to present a bill to Parliament that will compel business entities to plough back a percentage of their profits in society.
Mrs Mwanakatwe said the bill, once passed into law, will seek to inculcate and enhance Corporate Social Responsibility of allocating a small percentage in growing small and medium enterprises.
She called on South African Investors operating in Zambia to replicate best business models that have seen the rapid growth of its businesses.
“Zambia intends to borrow a good law from South Africa that compels business entities to allot three per cent of their profits in promoting SMEs in the value chain.
And speaking at the same event, Zambia-South Africa Business Council (ZSABC) chairperson, Charles Kalema, said the council seeks to enhance trade and economic co-operation between the countries.
Mr Kalema said the council will also foster sustainable trade and investment co-operation between investors in the two countries.
According Mr Kalema the council has received overwhelming response that has resulted in over 100 investment portfolios, among many other investment enquiries in various sectors of the Zambian economy.
Foreign Affairs Minister Harry kalaba, Works and Supply Permanent Secretary Charles Sipaje and his Commerce counterpart, Kayula Siame attended the function.
so bashi Tasila wants people to say that Zambian economy is booming,,, okay!!!,,, living in dream land
A Lungu what have got to show for leadership? Infintu nilungula fye.
A Lungu ‘s record in power;
1 Weak kwacha.
2 Economy in intensive care
3 Police brutality
4 Massive corruption
5 No freedom of expression
6 No freedom of assembly
7 No press freedom
8 Continued abuse of POA
9 Less money in people’s pockets.
10 Mine worker retrenchent
11 Very poor health facilities.
12 Despicable Education system
13 Corrupt justice system.
14 Strengthening Mafia empire amongst PF ranks
Oh the list is a very long one. I need help.
2016 vote UPND.
How can they allow Edgar to say anything on weekend, every weekend he is under influence alcohol. This time he even made Maggie drunk, look at her eyes and walk. Ba Maggie leave somethings to strong women like Dora.
LUNGU HAS CANCER AND ONLY HAS A NUMBER OF MONTHS TO LIVE. SAMPA BUSY PREPARING FOR A TAKE OVER.
A reliable source out there says Lungu has been given only months to live! This explains why Miles Sampa has started gathering PF cadres and bribing them to support his bid for PF presidency in the event that Lungu dies before 2016. This is also one of the reasons why his advisors from Banda ‘s MMD want him to hold election early so that he should die after being president and after having allocated all the important posts to Banda’s team to take over.
No matter what, UPND forward chabe.
Vote UPND in 2016 whether Lungu dies or not.
PF is just a mess for this country. Factors such as inconsistent investment policy, uncertainty, outright lies and brutality are chasing away both local and foreign investors. Investor confidence is at its lowest as the state increases its use of organised violence and intimidation. Zambians must brace themselves, because the worst is yet to come as 2016 draws close.
First and foremost what is Lazy Lungu doing in RSA? When did he fly there? How long has he been there and was he not in China? What type of reporting is this ZANIS.
And this so called Minister, Margaret Mwanakatwe, says government will soon present a bill to Parliament that will compel business entities to plough back a percentage of their profits in society….this coming from someone who is a banker; she knows very well that its easier to reduce profit moreover businesses are facing challenges with load-shedding and increase in tariffs. Do these empty tins really want local business to prosper?
@Jay Jay , the proposal is good for businesses as they will quote the figures like the RDA ,like cement at 300 instead of 65,and thereafter claim corporate tax refund again , ECL says what his advisors are telling him ,the man confessed he has no vision of his own and he lives in a dream land,while all Zambian business are complaining , the report he quoted that Zambia is good for investment was for 2011,
Zambian politicians are so naive, they think investors are not capable of analyzing for themselves the fact that the PF Government has mismanaged the Zambian economy! The fact is that under PF all indicators have deteriorated! Things are very bad in Zambia now and they will only get worse under this incompetent PF administration!
Reading through articles by ZWD nowadays,it is very clear that even members of the up and down party are convinced that ECL will emerge victorious in 2016.There is desperation in the party that believes that one region will make them win elections.They are panicking over Mutati and i can just imagine if bro GBM reconciled with Lungu before the elections,it will be 90% kolopa.com.
@Jesca,things were much better during sata on which lungu run his presidency but in 2016 Zambians will judge him on his record , which majority of us are crying every day ,if narrowly lost when the economy was much better ,so do u think he will do better when everyone is living in poverty .?
@Jesca it is not true that all people living in Lusaka and copperbelt are Bembas and that all Bebas and nyanjas will vote for Lungu.If that is not the case there is no way Lungu can win an election under such economic hardship.We shall pray that the wind of tribalism does not affect our youths who are the majority voters.Lugu will cry.You are the same people who used to say sata cant win after loosing 3 times but he did it.HH will win this time that we know we are just praying for his life and rigging.
@ Ndobo ,Zambia s economy is thriving for those that are business minded. thats why its ranked 8 th. if you cant see opportunities blame yourself. @xaviour kindly indicate which investor has left Zambia under PF.@jay yay the Africa china conference was in RSA.@ k bwalya challenges should be looked at as opportunities. i put it to you check flights coming into Zambia and you will see that most passengers are investors check with ZDA and see how many are flocking into Zambia
Your excellency,you should start castigating and denouncing when workers stop losing their jobs and companies stop closing down.
If Zambia is ranked 5th in SADC then it is mid-table/towards the bottom of the region and nothing to boast about. SADC has just over 10 member states if my Geography saves me right (Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, SA, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania). In the not to far past, Zambia was ranked first and headquartered most of SADC activities.
I meant not in the too distant past (meaning quite recently) Zambia led the SADC region in most aspects such as democracy, football, economy no name a few.
Zambia will only develop when the populace citizens get our power back,in a normal society protests would have made the pf government do away with its populist approach as it will not help improve our economy and it will burden our children with huge debts thereby reducing their lifespan and a good standard of living , the politician ‘s children will either migrate to better economies of the world .
You are presiding over a situation that is on the tipping point. President Lungu you are a lame duck and I implore that you are not to survive the situation that you are proclaiming to be in control of. You are punching above your weight, stupe.
Honourable Minister that’s the way to go in blocking this financial leakages.
What you are securing an entitlement to the Zambian citizenry called Social Investment Funds, that has developed the world and was informally here Zambia before the Nationalisation programme.
Just for example, it’s through this funding that is channelled through the Catholic church and makes them provide education and medical facilities all over the world.
Lastly my prayer is that we resist the temptation of reinventing the wheel, instead lets capture the best practices of the Zambia before the implementation of the Nationalisation Act and just validate them.
The Minister is not talking about a Social Investment Fund. She is talking about more money that PF can steal from private companies, now that no more Eurobonds can be raised from the west.
Do you know how rich your selfsame catholic church is? Maybe gov’t should start taxing churches and pastors as well now that’s leakage right there!!
Even if HH loses it’s Zambia’s loss. Zambians voted “YES” for KK for 27 years and look where they are.
– They voted for FTJ for 10 years & some wanted him to rule for a 3rd term. Look at where they are now.
– They voted for ECL this year even when they were told he had no vision, was not healthy, was a drunkard. Just a few weeks later the man was collapsing in public, kwacha was losing value, hiring private jets for $300,000 & using Zamtrop accounts.
Let him rule for 50 years, its your loss. HH is already wealthy.
SADC has 15 countries.kindly do your home work before you debate
Is placing 5 out of 15 mediocre countries worth bragging about??
SO which country is below Zambia economically in the SADC region, Mozambique and Zimbabwe may be. These are the only ones I think of, because Congo getting better, Namibia, SA Botswana, Angola, Lesotho, Swaziland, Tanzania, and the islands are by far better than Zambia economically.
My thinking is this ranking was last done in 2011. Now the true ranking for Zambia is 13th in SADC region.
There is nothing to write home about in our beloved country apart from the peace we are enjoyed which is also being compromised by the day.. Even the rankings say it all..its either we are number 8, 7, 6 and what not.. I have not seen where we are ranked first and there goes our complacent leaders enthusing about under-achievements. What’s wrong with this country kanshi? Lesa somone..twachula pafula! Twapenga
Nothing good can ever come out of UPMD. The issue here is that you cannot change government at the moment, to what? Even if it was true that it was necessary to change government or replace Edgar Lungu, surely there is no viable alternative currently, unless you agree with those UPMD MPs who have confirmed once again that tongas want to rule Zambia. By the way, can HH please give us his views on that? Can GBM say something too? Canissius? No, spare him for now, we want more useful comments, we know that our colleagues in UPMD have no regard for the good doctor, he and GBM are just being tolerated for a specific purpose.
Zambians have to accept that Zambia as a country is finished. Lungu is not to blame. It is Zambians who are so mediocre and unambitious, who elect weak, crooked and visionless charlatans into State House. What did you expect from Sata or Lungu? These were proven crooks who stole from clients or Parliament or govt to feather their own pockets and ambitions. Zambians are getting what they deserve.
Agreed…
so you would rather be number 1 and have no peace.
Are the two mutually exclusive? We can be number 1 AND have peace as well!
I wud agree if those figures are all about competitiveness in competing for high levels of poverty coz there is no production worth competing with other nations and am sure Zimbabwe cud be No.1 or 2
The President say the competition is getting better the minister say the economy is getting better misleading the people while the masses suffer….. Oh God ! Trust me Mr. President what you are saying is not true. I know you know and you know that i know. I feel pity for you and mother Zambia at large. Let me tell you that dont panic HH is not wining so dont panic. Let me walk you in something i strongly think will make things flexable and God willing put a stop to this crisis especially as a nation. Trust me on this. Here [email protected] . If you are reading this please we are humans and at some point even a commoner like me can say and or make sense.
oh so when we are number there will be no peace? I didn’t know…I said apart from the peace we are enjoying meaning am acknowleging the prevalence and presence of peace in our counry.
“Earlier, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Margaret Mwanakatwe, said government intends to present a bill to Parliament that will compel business entities to plough back….,”
When is Parliament going to pass a law to arrest all politician that borrow money from govt institutions, and never pay back?? This money is meant for the poor in our society
Mr Presido; how can you be so happy with 8th ranking and not the 1st? Surely, 8 is far off on SADC countries ratings.
THIS IS EACTLY THE KIND OF UNWARRANTED INTERFERENCE THAT HH WAS REFERING TO. HOW DOES GOVERNMENT INTRODUCE SUCHA NONSENSICAL BILL TO COMPEL PRIVATE COMPANIES TO USE SOME OF THIER PROFUTS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD BE A VOLUNTARY ENDEAVOR NOT AN OPERATIONAL ASPECT COMPELED BY GOVERNMENT. STAY OUT OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR! COLLECT YOUR TAXES AND ENSURE THAT BUSINESSES ARE ABIDING BY THE LAWS THAT GOVERN THIER OPERATIONS THATS IT. LET THE BUSINESSES DECIDE ON THIER OWN HOW, WHEN AND IF THEY WANT TO CONTRIBUTE MORE. DO THESE PF MINISTERS HAVE ANY CLUE ON HOW TO INVITE INVESTMENT? STAY OUT OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS LONG AS THEY PAY TAX AND ABIDE BY THE LAW. USELESS MINISTERS!
Lungu, is clueless get rid of him!
AFRICA AND ZAMBIA IN PARTICULAR MUST ENSURE STRONG (AND NOT COSMETIC) INDUSTRIAL (MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING) AND MILITARY TIES. CHINA IS THE WAY FORWARD FOR AFRICA. HOWEVER, AFRICA, ZAMBIA IN PARTICULAR SHOULD NOT BE IN PERPETUAL LEARNING MODE. THEY SHOULD LEARN AND GRADUATE WITH THEIR OWN ZAMBIAN EXPERTS WHO THEN START IMPACTING THE LEARNED SKILLS INTO UP COMING YOUNG ZAMBIANS AND ESTABLISH OWN MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING INDUSTRIES IN HI-TECH, MATERIAL AND FOOD. ZAMBIA HAS ALL THE MINERAL AND MATERIAL RESOURCES. THERE’S NO NEED FOR PERPETUAL IMPORTATION OF MACHINERY, MATERIAL AND PROCESSED FOOD STUFF. BUT, POLITICAL WILL IS MORE THAN NEEDED.
This guy Lungu is not serious. Just last week he was talking about cutting down costs and even sent Vice President to attend the meeting in South Africa. He then flys out very secret so that we dont know about his trip. What kind of leader is this who says one thing and does the other. This chap my God has no clue about management wats so ever. No Leadership skills , no wonder why ZAF Commander and Deputy have become Billionaires within 10 months coz he has no concern about corruption.
God Save Our Country
I suspect there is something missing in this LT report. I believe President ECL flew to South Africa to be among the many African presidents and heads of government who had a meeting with the president of China over the weekend.
As for Zambia’s rankings in the economic arena, I am not entirely sure about the truth of those claims. A lot needs to be done to improve the situation in Zambia. Instead of demonising HH the GRZ must embrace his advice. Surely, not everything that HH said in London should be ignored.
Please, can somebody enlighten me about meaning of “Zambia’s Economic Credibility”?
What has Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Margaret Mwanakatwe to the “Zambia’s Economic Credibility” to date?
Please, enlighten me.
i do appreciate the comments and the english the analysis made by you guys on this forum ,how wish you could come to zambia and do the things that you talk about and the critics that we give to the govt.but all i have not seen is any recommendation or suggestion from any of you guys the only thing i’m getting are lungu drunkard,margaret wants to steal from private sector,vote lungu out in 2016,this what HH has been saying,ok talking is easy and doing is another hurdle. sad indeed anyway i wouldn’t say much since yesterday i did my voters card replacement i know where to put my vote come 2016,have a nice day,God bless Zambia
@ juba jansomo
Good luck, instead of “90 days”, enjoy 5 long years of directionless mediocrity.
@ Juba Jansomo, I totally agree with you we Zambians think education and money and who you know gives us the right to talk aimlessly and criticize aimlessly yet never give solutions and its the trend in Africa. Presenting a highly articulated argument or analysis of event without recommendation is what we lack most of us. Its sad and a shame in the strongest sense of it. And as a results even those that claim to be Christians just insult leadership without helping by suggesting otherwise. But after reading your comment it give me hope to caring Zambians who are still out there. Do not criticize with out giving solutions I thinks itx the mature correct way to help mother Zambia and reline thinking great minds
Juba Jansomo are you in Zambia or outside the country. HH has advised ECL on a number of areas eg cutting down size of his cabinet which is the biggest in Africa, put qualified people in right positions, diversfication of economy, etc. HH is not in power and he has the limits.
Luke Chola am in zambia and well updated with what goes around,if you recall recently the president said i take heed of whatever advise am given but if it is not adding value to the pipo of zambia i will not take it, the problem you guys have if the president does something that one of your leaders said you say he has no vision not until he told to do so,this clearly show that you guys always want to ashame the gvt,it our talk after something as been done which makes the gvt to look sturbon on certain issues,if you do not believe me listen to talk at six radio programe 90.5fm listen to what is said my dear,even on something that is clear you will hear we have made them to do this but what you are going to do is something you do not tell the pipo
Mr President sir. Please ask your advisers to provide you with accurate data. Here is the correct Global Competitiveness Index report 2015-2016 rankings for Africa:
1. Mauritius
2. South Africa
3. Rwanda
4. Botswana
5. Morocco
6. Namibia
7. Algeria
8. Cote D’Ivoire
9. Tunisia
10. Zambia
11. Seychelles
12. Kenya
13. Gabon
14. Ethiopia
15. Senegal
From the rankings sir, you can see that Zambia is ranked 10th in Africa. The ranking you used in your speech sir are for 2014 – 2015 and its clear that Zambia is sliding downwards and not improving. Please fire your team as it is letting you down with wrong data.
Mambala what value is this going to add to our economical challenges in zambia?you are someone who is very brave and very good at analysis and your document well presented.now my questions does this hold any water in your own view to the pipo on this forum guys?lets put a clear road map to the development of this nation,let us say something that has substance,not just mare commenting so that everyone sees that we have commented,otherswise even the leaders you like won’t deliver the desired results pipo,let us be proactive not reactive to situations(planning for the better tomorrow)
It adds value my friend Juba. We have the brains to tap into for the benefit of our country.
These are the Zambian who contributes data to rate Zambia on a global stage based at Zambia Institute of Economic and Social Research (INESOR), University of Zambia
Patricia Funjika, Research Fellow
Jolly Kamwanga, Senior Research Fellow and Project Coordinator
Mubiana Macwan’gi, Director and Professor
These people understands what is takes to improve our ratings. The president needs to consult and make use of them.
The rankings are based on these seven pillars:
Pillar 1: Education and Skills Development (access, quality and equity)
Pillar 2: Employment and Labor Compensation
Pillar 3: Asset Building and Entrepreneurship Small Business (Small business ownership Home and Financial…
Pillar 4: Financial Intermediation of Real Economy Investment (Financial System Inclusion Intermediation of Business Investment)
Pillar 5: Corruption (Business and Political Ethics)
Pillar 6: Basic Services and Infrastructure (Health-related Services and Infrastructure)
Pillar 7: Fiscal Transfers (Social Protection)
mambala what do you do if you guys are well qualified and bring issues to the table in you institution some contractor taking 14years building hostels at slab level?chinese given a contract to construct hostels at canada courts only takes 8 months.and today you say you have professors ,useless and very corrupt professors infact you are creminals coz the gvt gave you burseries chewing taxpayers money and this is how you payback to the zambian society.
Mambala you have putm it rightly,the same fellows or professors they opt to chew their friends gratuity and then you put the blame on the gvt.which simply you guys from UNZA have a problem starting from the professors to the graduates,no wonder the institution fails to develop,all the research is been done from UNZA,mineral water testing approved by UNZA but they fail to come up with a machine that can produce manufacture plastic containers for water,vet dept skiny catlle can not produce milk for 40yrs just asking gvt grants no strategy on how Unza can make money profits no inventions from that institutions,only able to produce theocrats,CBU is better they have produced someone to programe a payroll within ZCAS better they have produced someone to invent a retail system sold to US and UK
I think i am not advocating for the professors to be in-charge here but tapping in their reasoning to help the country. This debate has nothing to do with which school is better than the other. As a country, we should from one another and improve our country. One bemba proverbs say, “amano mambulwa” meaning, we all can learn from one another regardless of our status in society. Learning from the three professors doesnt mean their are in charge. The govt can ask for their input but at the end of the day, the govt may decide against taking the advise.
I find it shocking that govt is still employing ‘thieves’ as you call them. Why can’t you report the same thieves to DEC, ACC or ZP for their thieving activities? We should not tolerant stealing of govt resources.
By the way, I am…
Zambia is slowly turning into “Afghanistan under the Talibans”…that is what happens when you allow lumpen proletariat take over the reign of power. They are worse than the bourgeoisie.
Why this hatred for my presido.You guys in diaspora your mouths are of toxic language of haterd for the head of state.You dont like him, go hang yourselves you nincompoops.
Mambala let your informers clear their nose before they give you info ,it seems they are giving you half baked info misleading the masses.the current president said it is better to tell the zambians the truth and not lying to them you may seem to be the champion today but the moment they realise that you have no solutions to their problems they will definately turn their back on you,and believe you me politicians of today do not know what to tell the people,we do not have enough rainfall,hw are you going to tuckle such a situation?there is climate change how far have gone in preparing for this but we are busy saying ECL is a failure let us be realistic in our comenting,global warming is the issue at the moment and rain parttern has been affected gravely let us prepare adequately my…
Juba. I don’t need anyone to mislead me into believing in anything. I am sure the president got the previous report for his speech. Just google my friend and you will find the 2015 – 2016 Global Competitiveness Reports. Why can’t we debate without being emotional or using sarcasm? Sarcasm wont help anyone.