ZAMBIA’S Top Five placement as a preferred destination of investment continentally will increase interest from international investors seeking green-field and traditional investment opportunities said senior diplomat Anthony Mukwita.
Mr Mukwita, the Charge d’ Affaires at the embassy of Zambia in Sweden said the placement coming from an independent international rating organisation largely breaks the myth of negativity peddled by critics and re-affirms Zambia’s position internationally as the safe place to take money.
“The great thing about this ranking is that the favourable rating is coming from independent organisations and not Zambian organisations with a stake in the Zambian economy,” Mr Mukwita said.
According to the latest Africa Investment Index, Zambia has been placed at number five most favoured country of investment by Quantum Global’s independent research arm, beating even Africa’s second largest economy, South Africa.
This is the based on Zambia’s “significant domestic investment and access money supply” among other things but also includes the political stability Zambia has enjoyed since independence in 1964, free and fair elections plus upholding the rule of the law encouraged by President Edgar Lungu.
Botswana is the most attractive economy for investments flowing into the African continent, according to the latest Africa Investment Index 2016 (http://APO.af/sUtRNQ) by Quantum Global’s (www.QuantumGlobalGroup.com) independent research arm, Quantum Global Research Lab.
According to the Index, Botswana scores highly based on a range of factors that include improved credit rating, current account ratio, import cover and ease of doing business.
According to the report, the top five African investment destinations attracted an overall FDI of $13.6bn. Morocco was ranked second on the Index based on its increasing solid economic growth, strategic geographic positioning, increased foreign direct investment, import cover ratio, and an overall favourable business environment. Egypt was ranked third due to an increased foreign direct investment and real interest rates, and a growing urban population. The fourth country on the list, South Africa, scored well on the growth factor of GDP, ease of doing business in the country and significant population. Whilst Zambia was the fifth country on the list due to its significant domestic investment and access money supply.
Mr Mukwita gave an example of his country of representation, Sweden where traffic and interest in Zambia has spiked upwards in recent months especially since the re-election of President Lungu and his open pledge to fight graft.
“Just last week a high powered technical delegation of ‘Team Sweden’ that seeks to revitalise Zambia Railways was in Zambia for what appeared like the umpteenth time doing on-spot physical checks on the more than 900 km railway line to see what repairs are needed in order to bring the railway back on track. We had a fruitful feedback in our office this week and a brief of Team Leader Mr Christian Bengtsson of Bombardier.”
Mr Mukwita said in weeks to come, more investors, perhaps in the agriculture and energy sector could travel to Zambia to explore more areas of taking direct investment to Zambia that could boost FDI, create jobs and slash poverty.
“Mr Bengtsson of Bombardier was part of a high level team that met the Minister of Finance hon Felix Mutati to sign agreements that could see up to half a billion US dollars get invested in Zambia’s transport sector by the end of the year. This is how much Sweden is interested in Zambia and a true example of FDI to flow into Zambia.”
Botswana is the most attractive country for FDI, Morocco is second, Egypt was ranked third while the fourth is South Africa that scored well on the growth factor of GDP.
Mr Mukwita said with the increased Economic Diplomacy drive by President Edgar Lungu and Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, Zambia is likely to rise several notches up by the end of the year.
“The huge number of Presidents visiting Zambia and equally the huge number of invitations President Lungu is getting form leaders in Africa and beyond are also helping boost Zambia’s image abroad by money people,” the diplomat said.
Mukwita once told us that the Embassy in Sweden was overwhelmed with investors. Can we know any new investors in recent months or under PF apart from Dakote?
Mukwita is right and he is one of the most hardworking diplomats Zambia has ever produced.
He is a great ambassador for Zambia.
He is simply stating what we all know that zambia will see a flock of major player investors come to zambia.
It will boost the economy and we will see by 2026 when Lungu’s third term come to an end a change in zambia.
I have noticed the kwacha to poind is now going south. During MMD it kept going northwards and became two digits during their regime.
All these good things are happening at a time Peace disturbers who were talking to present TRUMP are inccerated.
Happy days
Thanks
BB2014,16
Always uplifting to hear and see good news about Zambia internationally. But why aren’t we translating this into bread and butter issues for the masses? These are people to whom this Zambian economy belongs in the first place
But only yesterday Sunday Chanda was telling investors to fcuk off, Zambia is not for sale!!!!!
What has changed since then?
Clueless clowns with one hand the does not even know what the other hand is doing!
There is no order in PF. Everyone is a spokesperson and can give press statements. That’s why you see all those appalling contradictions from the party. Just look at Mukwita. Just his looks are enough to scare away serious investors. So he is saying things in reverse, as per PF policy.
Any news from Treason Row?
We have said before that HH is miscalculating many things.
HH is doing everything in “Dununa Reverse”.
This is why only weak sympathisers can think of supporting him.
If you do the right thing people will support, if you wrong no one will support you.
So, the international community as well as international businessmen and multinationals will continue to ignore his being arrested.
Well said Anthony and keep up the engagement with the business community of the host Country – Sweden. It’s only through active engagement that we will get more investors to appreciate the benefits of investing in Zambia. Keep up the good work and God bless.
Let me paraphrase this publication.
Zambia ranks within the top 5 countries in the world for ease of externalizing profits from an investment. This is because the clueless leaders can be bought for as little as a bottle of Jameson. Best example is Anil Agarwal (Vendata) who openly boasted of buying one of the riches copper mines in the world for a song. The trend has not abated, so please go to Zambia and become multi-millionaires.
I am surprised that the myth of investor paradise is still doing the rounds. The only people who will develop Zambia are ZAMBIANS, but the current Bank lending rates have been rigged by the same investors. Investors will take your mineral resources and leave you with polluted rivers.
Seriously how would you trust a lowly ranked civil servant who is dressed in a bow tie as if he is freelance middleman…no wonder those guys are bemused at the sight of cameraman taking photos with the clown.
Wow Africa will never develop!! you mean in the 21 century, you still rely on a foreigners (investors) to develop your country? where are the so called foreign educated Zambians to invest in their country? Oh they are in UK and US spending their time on Lusaka Times. White people and Chinese are ripping your country off its resources (as investor) and you are happy to watch them do that. Mukwita, a white man will never be your friend even when you sit next to each other.
In the first picture the white guys are not bothered by the waffling black guy in an unusual dress code. That’s why one is looking at the roof and the other towards the camera. In the second picture the black guy is excited about fulfilling his life-long ambition of addressing a white man, evident by the way he sits in a white man’s chair. This guy is a disgrace to Zambians and an author of Chagwa’s autobiography which qualifies him to represent/mirepresent Zambia in Sweden.
Zambia is only attractive to outsiders who are already coming with money,pretend to invest it and then rip us off! Otherwise genuine citizens are really suffering in this country, our mother land.
Zambia can only be developed by Zambians if only we start believing in our selves! Our friends use a smarter approach for sustainable development – Human Resource Development and Empowerment! Invest in knowledge and create an enabling economic environment the way Chiluba and Mwanawasa did and the the money will follow. It is good to have foreign investors but Zambians should not be spectators in their own economy. Create an enabling environment for enterprise! Most of what we call FDI is a channel for foreign economies acting through their multinationals to extract your raw materials for their industries!
we are so stu..pid thinking that a white man ( now a chinese) would want to develop our country. And its most stu..pid for our leaders going around the world looking for investors to come and invest in agriculture like keeping chickens. Where are the locals to do that? We should be investing more in our education and empower our locals to start up businesses in all sectors than relay on foreigners. Send students abroad to learn and when they come back empower them to apply what they leant. See all the chinese and Indians flooring Universities in UK, Europe , US and Australia, they go back to head companies back home. But in Zambia all foreign companies are headed to foreign people.
Mind you a white man will NEVER see you as a friend and in most cases as EQUALS. He has ripped as off in…
“This is the based on Zambia’s “significant domestic investment and access money supply” among other things but also includes the political stability Zambia has enjoyed since independence in 1964, free and fair elections plus upholding the rule of the law encouraged by President Edgar Lungu”
The last part of the sentence “free and fair elections plus upholding rule of law” does not rhyme with what is currently obtaining on the ground.
This report should make alll Zambians proud! Regardless of one’s political affiliation if the economy is doing well all should benefit in one way or the other! Now as is the norm we can expect the usual negativity from the usual sources (United Dunderhead sat.anic cadres) just read their comments below!
I identify myself with the first part of your opinion, but the last sentence could kill it all. Not everyone who would express a different opinion is necessarily UPND.
I, for now, say, this is a good achievement, which every Zambia should be happy with. I hope the current political events happening in Zambia do not tarnish this type of ratings.
I do not see a pride in encouraging foreigners to come a rip as off our resources in the name of investment. I will be proud if are start seeing ZAMBIANS investing in their own country after the Government does its job to create a conducive environment for them to do so and not just favor foreign investors. I have said it and will say it again ‘A white man is not your friend to develop your country for you”. He will enjoy seeing you down coz that’s where he wants you to be.
Anthony Mukwita, just enjoy your coffee and Jameson’s and relax. That excitement will soon end, maybe next month. Wait for Moody’s next classification of Zambia. You will realize its is the opposite of what you are celebrating on. After all, the data of that classification by that organization was collected before the current political confusion by your PF government started. What a Diplomat who cannot analyse situations. I personally have been in your shoes and I know what I am saying. I will remind you in a short time about what I have said! I BET YOU TONNY!
This little jumpy goat has just broken one rule of marketing…by his dress code ..this is what happens when we send kaponyas like Mwamba and Tonny to foreign service!!
As long as the petition is not heard we won’t recognise Ecl as president. We are going to burn Zambia and make it ungovernable. ……. This what is currently running in the minds of all upnd zealots. They are aiming at burning the country they want to come and govern. Makes me wonder.
How do people here what you are imagining in your heart?
You are given the full period of 14 days in accordance with the constitution on which your petition is expected to have been based.
But you refuse to speak, running away from your own petition, and then when the 14 days iß over you say, “have I been head?”.
Have you been what…? You want to be heard when you have refused to speak?
Your thinking is in Dununa Reverse mode.
Msybe you speak better when the.petition expires; but of what use is it speaking after the petition expired?
Anthony Mukwita, just enjoy your coffee and Jameson’s and relax. That excitement will soon end, maybe next month. Wait for Moody’s next classification of Zambia. You will realize its the opposite of what you are celebrating on. After all, the data of that classification by that organization was collected before the current political confusion created by your PF government started. What a Diplomat who cannot analyse situations. I personally have been in your shoes and I know what I am saying. I will remind you in a short time about what I have said! I BET YOU TONNY!
Just as the upnd, the tongas and “the international community” are in overdrive that Zambia has collapsed, the rest of the world IS MOVING FORWARD!! Surprisingly, this upward development is including Zambia as well??? It must be hurting these negative elements so deeply as their hopes of an uprising seem to diminishing everyday. The Zambian High Commissioner to India just refuted reports of protests in that country while ZP and the community are making progress after arresting some suspected arsonists behind the recent burnings. THE DREAM OF HAVIN HH IN STATE HOUSE IS BUT JUST A DREAM AS THE MAJORITY ZAMBIANS WHO VOTED FOR THE PF AND ECL ARE PROGRESSING WITH THEIR LIVES!! WELL DONE ZAMBIA ON THIS ACHIEVEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!
Bombadier is a Canadian company.
PF unashamed lies.
If the Chinese don’t want to touch the rotten railway even for free where PF stole all the 120 million US what makes you think a Canadian company will touch ZR????
I work for bombadier, it has work in Sweden just like in the UK but no investment descisions from there.
From the quantum global web site ……
“…..Whilst Zambia, was the fifth country on the list due to its significant domestic investment and access money supply…”
Thats old…..when PF were spending eurobonds like monkies in a maize field….there is no more access to money supply that is why lungu is running to the IMF.
I am beginning to worry about our culture of reading……how can embassy staff tell so much lies in this day of the internet were it is easy to verify everything…..do PF think zambians are so thick ????
Anthony is just a bootlicker for Lazy Bum …he is a typical example why cadres should not be sent to foreign service. I feel for the High Commissioner for Sweden having such a little rat on their team.
There is serious discord in the “government of Edgar Chagwa Lyngu”. His ministers and foreign mission cadres are talking of bringing in FDI but ECL is busy doing things that don’t promote a conducive environment for FDI. Very confusing for the public listed investor who needs to be seen to uphold human rights. In reality, most FDI is a raw material extraction channel for developed economies! The local economy and its citizens will remain raw materials for the developed economies! Invest in practical knowledge!
Here is a President who has never held a press conference since he was elected and he is publicly threatening a state of emergence…imagine threatening to suspend normal constitutional procedures in order to regain control and where does he issue such statement on an airport tarmac when he is going on a campaign tour, that’s the seriousness of the man…really laughable.
We have said before that HH is miscalculating many things.
HH is doing everything in “Dununa Reverse”.
This is why only weak sympathisers can think of supporting him.
If you do the right thing people will support, if you wrong no one will support you.
So, the international community as well as international businessmen and multinationals will continue to ignore HH’s being arrested.
In fact the international community and international business are always delighted when trouble makers are brought to book, because then they know that their businesses are safe.
HI is not calculating anything…..it is lungu seeing ghosts…..HH is just going about his business as an opposition leader…..
@ 14.1 Spaka like lilo,
So it was Lungu seeing ghosts when HH was refusing to give way to the presidential motorcade.
Am sure Lungu is seeing ghosts when he thinks HH is bring held by police.
According to you police are not holding anyone, HH is busy about his business. Lungu is seeing ghosts.
Lungu’s motorcade overtook something they thought was HH, it was a ghost. Lungu saw ghost.
We are on the right pass as a nation, we just need a firm grip on characters like HH whose interest is in selling Zambia to the highest bidder and amass more cattle to build another castle. PF has a right approach, I was getting worried seeing the destructive behavior perpetuated by opposition being let Scot free – that is the real danger, to allow losers in the name of UPND drive this country in the wrong direction. The government needs to be even more firm to allow good policies be applied/implemented for the good of all.
Yes on the right path with psychos like Kaizer zulu assaulting police in full view of international visitors…..astounding what the kaponyas will swallow.
Those of you wishing Zamnia I’ll, you have a rude shock to take.
If I were you I would stop wishing wrong things for the country just to satisfy selfish ambitions, but instead begin to pray for its success.
Zambia will never follow the wishes of ill-mitive people. Zambia will not bow to wrongs spirits to satisfy individual egos.
Zambia is headed for prosperity. If you don’t like what I have said you are in for it.
If it is not for the purpose of selfish reasons, tell me why else you would want things to go wrong for the country.
If that is not the position of your heart then pray for Lungu and his government to succeed and bring prosperity to Zambia.
If you can’t wish the country well just because the person you dont like is in charge, the what a selfish person you…
How can you pray for a brutal dictator in the making to succeed ?
I wonder if not conducting intra-party elections within a party also constitutes the making of a brutal dictator?
Intra part elections can be called for if the majority members demand elections. All UPND members seem happy with the current leadership.
It amusing that it is the PF kaponyas calling for UPND elections, What are you afraid of ?
@ 16.3 Spaka like lilo,
All the Cubans seem to have been very happy with Fidel Castro. But the man was still deemed a dictator.
Kingship and autocratic systems are sometimes loved by their citizens but that does not make the systems democratic.
The practice of democracy is such that there are elections every prescribed period.
You can’t say our constitution allows for no elections if people don’t want. Well that means your party constitution has dictatorial elements. Why not allow people to vote and if people like him they will give him a vote.
Remember that even dictatorships have constitutions which they follow. So saying we are following our constitution does not make you democratic if your constitution is dictatorial.
Or does the call of democracy make some one who would rather be called a theif like lungu who refuses to hear more than half of the voting population who voted for HH who say he stole the elections make him ligit ?
Lungu only won by a disputed 100,000 votes according to the discredited ECZ.
Does this guy understand that dress code matters in times like this?. He is dressed like a pimp at a formal international meeting.
That’s because they treat the embassy like their nite club…more cadres are on the way from these newspapers!!
And have you noticed the President also dresses like a pimp..? Perhaps this one is simply following…
Lets start by respecting those of our own sons of the soil who have worked hard & invested their money here in Zambia. Start from Galilee before going into Judea
“Just last week a high powered technical delegation of ‘Team Sweden’ that seeks to revitalise Zambia Railways was in Zambia for what appeared like the umpteenth time doing on-spot physical checks on the more than 900 km railway line to see what repairs are needed in order to bring the railway back on track. We had a fruitful feedback in our office this week and a brief of Team Leader Mr Christian Bengtsson of Bombardier.”
Was this little fooool drunk he thinks he is writing Lazy’s bio which he fills with lies..how can ZRL be talking to Sweden and the Chines at the same time…so you have a high powered team that came all the way from Sweden when there is no tender. Where is ZDA or ZRL not saying anything about this so called technical delegation. This little boy and the crook in RSA…
This little boy and the big crook in RSA Mwamba are all the same, any investor with brains should stay well clear of them.
hehehe those welcome in 2016 just as the report was done in 2016.Well SA has a different rating now.It is junk.As for Zambia,just wait for the next report by this sharks.Hope they will show up as investment managers once they hear that you ‘ve gotten a loan from the IMF.As for the againist all odds writter, keep informing us about all the old news you stumble upon.Your funeral negro.
Mr Mwikita should find out why Sweden has reduced its Bilateral funding to Zambia.Late Mwanawasa got a huge amount particularly after his Anti Corruption crusade.What has happened now?
The List of African countries by Human Development Index 2016 places Zambia at 15 and also behind the other 4 countries mentioned in the article.The listing also shows that Zambias rating is decreasing while other countries in the group are either stable or increasing their human development.
The Rule of law index for Africa ..highest value-Mauritius: 0.85 points….lowest value-Somalia: -2.34 points.
Zambia is ranked 13(-0.25 Points) in Africa .The other 4 countries mentioned in the article all fall in the top 10 bracket with positive points.
(www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/wb_ruleoflaw/)
no way sweden will invest in zambia if they want to leave their money behind pls stop this bull sheet frist get u r human right record in order right we r deported from zambia for no reson let them sort this out frist
Jay who deported you ?
Nobody wants to invest in an unstable country – such as one where the president needs to threaten a state of emergency while on the airport tarmac and tells accredited diplomats to get lost… Mukwita thinks to make it in a job it’s enough to simply be a loud mouthed cadre
Bombardier is a Canadian company that builds trains, (Euro rail Chunnel) Joburg SA high speed passenger airport train and many more. They also build planes such as Lear jet and Canadair ( pro flight has one) also Seadoo’s for water sports and Skidoos for snow and ATV’s for summer bush transport.
but they never invest in any businesses just supply the goods with credit conditions.
That company won a contract to build carriages for British rail and there was up row and protest in England…because a local company lost out hence meaning loss of jobs. In Zambia we have a works factory that simply needs to modernise and retool in Kabwe to build those average carriages for ZRL.
Senior diplomat?
Have you noticed how fresh the air is since 11th April 2017? The good news is that it will continue like this until end 2017, after which maximum peace will be guaranteed while pleas for prerogative of mercy commence behind the scenes.
The only thing on notice is the lies from PF Like above, policy u turns and desperate standard of living for zambisns.
@ 16.3 Spaka like lilo,
All the Cubans seem to have been very happy with Fidel Castro. But the man was still deemed a dictator.
Kingship and autocratic systems are sometimes loved by their citizens but that does not make these systems democratic.
The practice of democracy is such that there are elections every prescribed period.
You can’t say our constitution allows for no elections if people don’t want.
Well that means your party constitution has dictatorial elements. Why not allow people to vote and if people like him they will give him a vote.
Remember that even dictatorships have constitutions which they follow. So saying we are following our constitution does not make you democratic if such constitution is dictatorial.
Don’t talk about democracy when lungu would rather be called a theif then prove to more than half of the voting population he won elections.
Lungu won by a disputed 100,000 votes. You are the last one to mention democracy when lungu would rather be called a theif then hear UPND petition and show he won.
Big lies Mukwita ,Zambia’s economic growth is a lowly 3% .If we’re top choice then why have so many firms not chosen Lusaka as their Africa head office but instead they operate from either Nairobi or Jo’burg?
We want to move up to first notch! Zambians, keep your heads, move with gov’t and development. Let’s not let doomsayers and naysayers disturb our mercurial rise. WE CAN DO THIS.
PF the working Party.
Yes in your PF illusions. If keep repeating it with lies like the above maybe more kaponyas get excited.
I am relaxing because Hazaluza Hagain is history!
The eyes of all tribalists from that party are trained to see negatives in anything and everything! @JJ! Your man will soon be transferred to Mukobeko!
What about membe ? The coward lungu failed to arrest him.
Who are these foreign investors whom we never see. Only the Chinese keep coming
spaka it is the current goverment no reson given i m not in any kid of politikes all my properties r in zambia this is a very big issuse some top minister is invoiled i have been in zambia for 50 years
spaka morning send me u r e mail or a concet number i can brif u more on this matter sir