Thursday, March 28, 2024

President Hichilema meets Cyril Ramaphosa

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President Hakainde Hichilema today held a meeting with his South Africa’s counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa to find common grounds for harnessing development in rich mineral resource countries.

President Hichilema also held several private engagements with key stakeholders in the mining and financial sectors to stir investments into the country’s economic growth.

Key to this was to woo investments in the mining and supporting sectors such as energy, infrastructure, logistics and manufacturing with an aim of boosting Zambia’s economy.

Other key stakeholders that the Head of State met were Stanbic Bank and Standard Bank of South Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, the Extractive Industry Transparency International (EITI) among others.

The Head of State also had time to discuss Zambia’s investment opportunities to Xcalibur Metaphysics, Anglo American Chief Executive Officer and Rio Tinto.

President Hichilema said he will continue to attract investment opportunities to rekindle economic growth and job creation for the Zambian people.

And speaking after he met President Hichilema, EITI Executive Director Mark Robinson described his interaction as successful.

Mr Robinson said among the issues that was discussed was how the EITI can align with Government priorities in the mining sector.

He noted that it was gratifying that the government has shown commitment to remove barriers that affect investment in its natural resources.

“We want to work with the Government in having proper registered documents that clearly spell out who should benefit from the mines,” he said.

Meanwhile, Stanbic Bank Zambia says Government’s aspiration to increase copper production is a positive development for Zambia as it works towards achieving three million tonnes of copper production annually in the next 10 years.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Cape Town, South Africa after holding a private meeting with President Hakainde Hichilema, Stanbic Bank Zambia Limited Chief Executive, Mwindwa Siakalima reiterated government’s focus on sustainable growth of the mining sector that will unlock potential into tangible benefits for the country.

Mr. Siakalima said it is important to note the President Hichilema has clearly outlined policy measures which states that Africa should direct its efforts towards beneficiation and turn ‘potential’ into ‘tangible benefits’ that will stimulate economic growth through job creation and resuscitation of other social economic sectors.

He said it is vital to scale up mining production by focusing on supporting industries which include energy, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, which are important levers in the value chain.

‘Though mining contributes 10 percent to Zambia’s GDP, it’s important to note that it brings in about 70 percent of the country’s foreign exchange revenue. Thus it is important to look not only at investments in exploration opportunities, but on supporting sectors of energy, infrastructure and manufacturing. We also need to continue supporting the mining value chain, focusing on expansion of the downstream players for key commodities,’ said Mr. Siakalima.

Mr. Siakalima stated that Stanbic Bank has on-the-ground knowledge and expertise of the different geographies which makes it to be the leading bank in financing and offering of expert solutions for mining investments portfolios.

He said the bank plays a key role in accelerating economic growth in Zambia through relevant financial solutions and advisory services.

Mr. Siakalima further explained that mining is an important driver of long term investment and that a renewed mining sector can be the primary driver of economic growth and job creation.

He added that launch of the Public Private Dialogue Forum that was recently launched by President Hichilema is an indication that Zambia is open for business and attracting more investment.

Mr. Siakalima has expressed confidence that this year’s mining indaba is a good platform as it aligns with the country’s focus on green and sustainable economy.

He also noted that the Indaba provides for business linkages and brings together players in mining that can benefit not only Zambia, but all African mining countries.

This year’s investing in African Mining Indaba, is being held under the theme: ‘Evolution of African Mining: Investing in the Energy Transition, ESG and Economies.’

15 COMMENTS

  1. Hh the explorer. Too much chibeleshi with whlte people. He wants to be a westerner. We now hear stories of gay people freely proposing marriage here in Lusaka

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  2. HOW REFRESHING A PROGRESSIVE PRESIDENT
    YES THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL NOW
    LET THE GAY COMMUNITY LIVE THE THEY CHOOSE

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  3. Finally we have someone who can hold their own…………

    Imagine having Bowman Lusambo representing zambia as was in the past !!??

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  4. Zambian singer Chama Fumba arrested over song that ‘mocks’ President Lungu – Guardian – Tue 9 Jun 2015 03.02 BST
    The musician, known as Pilato, has released a song about a man named Lungu who carries a suitcase filled with whiskey and has no idea how to govern.
    A Zambian musician has been arrested over a song that officials said defamed the president, Edgar Lungu, by accusing him of drinking too much and being incompetent.
    Chama Fumba, 31, whose stage name is Pilato, was detained in Lusaka on Monday and charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, his lawyer told reporters at the capital’s central police station.
    “The police declined to grant us bail and we requested to them that in that case the matter should quickly proceed to court,” Marshal Muchende said.
    Fumba…

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  5. Even Cyril Ramaphosa, must be saying this is a new guy on the block ! He is in charge…….Lungu can only dream being in that chair !
    ALAS Bowman ! I hope it has now sunk into that head, why HH been 3 days away in SA. Not ba Lvsambo, who would be visiting Robin Island and night clubs.
    Who was wasting Tax Payers money?

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  6. A seat at the table is all we want. Not just seating but be game changers with our “own” cards in our hands. Thank you PF for the roads and some finished/window level infrustrature. Now lets make money with New Dawn.

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  7. I remember Lungu in Joburg right after dribbling Guy Scott and winning 2016 election, he was talking about dropping a ton of bricks on his opponents. Live on SABC….hahaha. And sad enough it came to pass. Words are powerful. If HH keeps talking about work work work and success, it shall come to pass too.

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  8. Bowman says there is nothing special about these meetings which he attended as a minister………. Who did he actually talk to or engage????

  9. Begging for whites to come and recolonise us is not a solution to our economical emancipation …while Zambians have no access to our president, white people have unlimited access. This is very sad. HH can not even spare a moment to meet Zambians in SA…It is a shame.

    I suppose talking to white people is a measure of achievement

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