Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga says the government is working on the policy framework to protect local contractors and suppliers in the country.
Speaking at the 2023 North Western Chamber of Commerce Trade and Industry (NWCCI) Business Awards Giving Gala Dinner held in Solwezi District, Mr. Mulenga said there is a need to add value to the contracts that are being given to local contractors.
He stated that this will help to develop the economy and improve the living standards of citizens.
Mr. Mulenga said government has conducted wide stakeholder engagement and before the end of December the Ministry of Commerce alongside the Ministry of Mines will announce the local content policy framework to protect contractors and suppliers.
“Your government has also listened to your calls on the 20 percent local supply policy with the mining companies and we want to re-look that policy. And soon I will table this framework before the Cabinet,” he said.
Mr. Mulenga further encouraged the private sector to partner with government through various platforms that have been put in place such as the Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF), the President’s Delivery Unit and most recently the Ministerial Delivery Unit.
Meanwhile, NWCCI President Kayula Lombanya said the event was important to celebrate and appreciate the role of business companies and entrepreneurs for their resilience in 2023.
Ms. Lombanya noted that 2023 was challenging and a year that opened innovative businesses that have seen creation of jobs for many citizens in the Province.
The event which was held under the theme ‘A night of brilliance,’ brought various corporate companies and entrepreneurs together and saw more than 40 being awarded in various categories.
North-Western Province Permanent Secretary Col. Grandson Katambi (Rtd), Solwezi Mayor Remmy Kalepa, Acting Solwezi District Commissioner Anthony Fulwe and the Angolan Consul representative attended the event.
What is this nonsense though? Didn’t this government amend the public procurement Act this year to remove the need for local contractors? And here we have this minister lying that he will table before cabinet a law which they themselves removed?
Someone please help me.
Our Chingola …..we used to call it the cleanest town in Zambia. We were the proud citizens of this country. Today its never the same. We are the saddest town in the country. In the past three years life in Chingola has not been the same. Not long ago families in Kasompe had their homes brought down on the land they have lived since time immemorial. Not long time ago our residents were gassed with unknown substances. Todate we know not who the gassers were. Here we are now today burying out children who died in the belly of the earth . They were simply looking for something to help them put food on the table. Today they are no more!!!
The only help you need is understanding African politics
This is not necessary really. This issue of local suppliers leads to procurement being unnecessarily expensive. Let them compete equally.
Corruption under upnd. When they say local contractors they mean upnd tonga worshipping business owners. My businesses in zambia have suffered since tribal upnd came to power . Luckily I have many other businesses in dubai and Russia
The only help local contractors need is to learn how to compete in business
Is it only me who thinks that Zambia was more inspiring during PF than it with UPND despite PF being Bandits….it looks like UPND wants to beat PF in terms of looting and mismanagement of our natural resources and its on course to do so because already 2 years in office UPND Bandits have stolen more than what PF stole in 10 years
Policies of protectionism have been responsible for shoddy services from protected business participants be they local or foreign. I agree with Advisor that the main help needed for local contractors is how to compete in business. Those local contractors waiting for politicians to protect them in a business environment are the reason why our local contractors never mature into serious business ventures capable of competing at regional and international levels.
Chingola MPs…….. What a shame!
You allowed ” illegal Miners”…….That what u have been calling the youth you promised jobs.
You allowed the houses in Kasompe to be erased!!
Involved in Sugilite scandal.
Chingola MPs……What a shame!
2026 kick them out. Leadership should be result oriented. Whoever fails, should be shown the door. They don’t owe us anything apart from good performance.Let us start taking an audit of their performance. If their performance does not match with their promises, the best is to show them the door.It is like in football, pathetic performance attracts dismissal. These are our servants who are supposed to work for our satisfaction.