President Edgar Lungu says government will continue to create an enabling environment for both private and public companies to thrive.
President Lungu says the PF government’s vision to transform the country into an industrial hub thereby guaranteeing employment opportunities for the country.
The president said this at the commissioning of the ZAFFICO pole treatment plant in Kalulushi yesterday.
The pole treatment plant will make the country self-reliant in meeting the local demand for this product while contributing to the nation’s wealth creation and the well-being of our people.
The Republican President noted that for a long time now, ZESCO and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), the main buyers of treated poles have been importing the poles as the local market has been unable to supply the required quantities a scenario he said has resulted in the externalization of resources.
He explained that with the commissioning of the plant ZAFFICO will be able to flood the local market with required quantum’s of the poles.
Mr. Lungu urged ZESCO, REA, ZAMTEL and other local companies who are the users of the product to promote it by buying from ZAFFICO.
“ ZAFFICO’s survival is solely dependent on the support from local companies as the industry will only become successful when Zambians begin to rally behind local companies by promote the local industries in order to achieve the desired national development, “ he said.
President Lungu said he is aware of the workers compensation fund intentions to partner with ZAFFICO and hence directed the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to ensure that the proposed partnership is expedited and brought to fruition.
Mr. Lungu revealed that ZAFFICO has been transformed into a success story following achievements the public company has scored in the recent past, under the pf government.
He said it is gratifying to note that ZAFFICO is a success story today because it has taken advantage of the prevailing conducive business environment.
President Lungu said the performance of ZAFFICO is classic proof that local companies can perform as good as foreign companies once they employ appropriate strategic plans for their growth and survival.
He added that today’s world is dynamic hence failure to adapt spells doom for companies which continue to remain in their comfort zones.
The president has urge other public companies to emulate ZAFFICO by formulating strategies aimed at promoting competition and subsequently the growth of these enterprises.
He further added that government will not hesitate to take stringent measures on public companies with poor performance due to lack of innovation.
Mscheeew Lungu ,an enabling business environment is cholera ,corruption and chaotic streets full of vendors?
Great to see that the president is committed to seeing Zambia develop.
On the other hand it is interesting to see others getting annoyed to hear of the possible motion that encourages democracy at party level.
They want to train dictators at party level and launch them as democratic presidents at national level.
Amazing!!
THE PRESIDENT HAS SAID HIS OWN – OOH.
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Right tone struck. We need to see your energy expended in launching and supervising national projects. Direct, don’t ask the named parastatals to buy products from KAFUE STEEL, ZAMEFA, ZAFFICO and so on. As you make those pronouncements, kindly take action of protecting your own. Instruct the Gov agency that deals in procurement (ZPPA) to up the game and ensure that local companies are given priority unless of course it’s something to do with fire tenders. The UPNDestruction chaps can’t understand this business. Why? Because
Ubuwelewele bwachilamo. Smack ’em right in their du.ll faces.
@ Advice
You are right. It is amazing that the party lead by the most corrupt leader who has spent almost three years destroying SME, is now BLABBING about enabling private enterprises to flourish.
Please reserve your advice to the crooks and criminals like your CONVICTED criminal leader
@ 1.3 Facts,
Why would you want someone who has been rejected 6 times to become your president?
How does someone claim that people want him to lead his party for more than 12 years without holding intra-party elections.
When you are a leader, is it not in your power to say whether you love me or not we need to hold elections as democracy demands?
I thought love for a leader is shown by casting a vote for him through the ballot; why avoid the ballot if you are loved by your party members?
Should you remove democracy to show that you all love your leader or should not go for the vote to proudly show everyone that you truly want him?
If you love him, why is he afraid of the ballot in his party? Why go to the extent of displaying anger when people call for everyone to…
@ 1.3 Facts,
If you love him, why is he afraid of the ballot in his party? Why go to the extent of displaying anger when people call for everyone to practice democracy?
Is it democracy of the angry, by the angry and for the angry? Just go for party elections, show that people want you, and st least win at party level – not 12 years no elections and by 2021 it will be 15 years of autocratic rule at party level.
The CALIBER of Lungu leaves much to be desired. It’s a hopeless situation in Zambia.
But the worst problem is the gullible, docile Zambians who dance for him whilst he continues stealing from them & indebting them with $-Billions & selling National Assets to Chinese, Austrians, Lebanese, Indians, Zimbabweans etc.
Who is the President of Zambia?
A. HH
B. Nawakwi
C. Lungu
D. Miyanda
E. Kambwili
I know Upnd can never pass this simple question. Their answer is ?????? Who can guess?
maloza – that’s Zambians for you especially the illiterate ones…I bet you there was a band dancing at that ceremony. We need to educate our people because they will continue to elect foools like Mayor Wilson and Co.
“Western Province Permanent Secretary (PS) Sibanze Simuchoba says he is disappointed with the current illegal harvesting and trading of timber that has rocked the province.”
You have a newly appointed PS stating this yet you have this thing called Lungu who has intelligence at his fingertips and has been in govt for close to a decade saying ZAFFICO is doing a good job – honestly who would you trust and would you be excused for saying Lungu is corrupt.
These are wasted years my friends …we need to take back our country!!!
I just read all the comments above mine and all of them except one is either simply patronizing ECL or simply denigrating him.
I want to believe that this forum has some of the smartest colleagues among the smart people of the Zambian Enterprise but the comments leave so much to be desired.
Sometimes I ask myself a question as to why we even come here day in and day out. To some it may be mere comradary while others I believe it’s total group think.
Guys and Gals … we are supposed to be running this country from here!!! Not just running our mouths or should I say running fingers on keyboards!!!
Let me get back to running this country alone, I guess I am a lone wolf in this endeavor of human development.
Here I come … Great start for ZAFFICO and now we need to look all…
Continued …
Here I come … Great start for ZAFFICO and now we need to look all the remaining parastatals. The reason private companies grow faster than parastatals anywhere in the world is either through acquisitions and mergers, new innovations or diversification.
With that model, private companies have produced billionaires like crazy, Bill Gates started with Microsoft but now has an investment banking firm, owns YouTube, Skype, etc. Jeff Bezos started with Amazon, now owns various companies including a grocery store for high end elites Whole Foods,
Elon Musk started with PayPal, now owns an automobile manufacturing company Tesla and SpaceX the only private company to contract NASA for space deliveries, etc. Everything knows Warren Buffet the serial entrepreneur and the…
Continued…
Everything knows Warren Buffet the serial entrepreneur and the list is endless.
IDC needs to have an office specifically for those three functions. Through these companies like ZESCO, ZAMTEL, ZAMPOST, ZAMEFA, etc can acquire, develop new products or simply move into totally different sectors of the economy.
For instance in German, France, Italy, Switzerland and Britain, parastatals have such cross functionality that they also own banks, have shares in railways, post offices even own other parts of the economy, etc.
That’s what creating an enabling environment is all about and IDC needs to get started yesterday. For instance, at any given time ZESCO has so much cash just sitting in the bank.
ZESCO’s balance sheet is such a strong one it beats balance sheets of…
Continued …
ZESCO’s balance sheet is such a strong one it beats balance sheets of small regular banks. Why not look at starting a bank solely owned by ZESCO? It’s cash value is so huge it can rival Bank of Zambia cash reserves on any given day.
Huge cash balance at the bank are a wasted reserve, money circulating in the economy as much as possible is what drive GDP into an upward trajectory.
The more you make the money circulate the more hands it passes through, they people it employs and the more products and services it produces and eventually the lower the unemployment rate and the higher the productivity and the rest is history.
ZAMEFA for instance has the technical know-how of processing metals out of our raw materials. In fact ZAMEFA is one of the most advanced metal…
Continued…
In fact ZAMEFA is one of the most advanced metal fabrication companies in the world, thanks to US and Swedish original plant installation strategies.
It can actually start its own mining subsidiaries in copper, platinum, gold, diamonds and any mineral resources you can think of in Zambia.
At any given time ZAMEFA has so much excess capacity but limited production drivers. It can identify start ups around the country through cooperatives and these Zambian owned SMEs can benefit from technology transfers all under ZAMEFA’s supervision and you have more employment, more productivity, more money in circulation and the rest is history.
I can go on and on but since I run this country, I don’t mind just that I have to run my companies as well. So, in conclusion … I…
Continued …
I can go on and on but since I run this country, I don’t mind just that I have to run my companies as well. So, in conclusion … I expect, IDC to start implementing some of the above by engaging boards of these various smart Zambian Enterprises.
And that’s how we amplify creativity in creating an enabling environment using home grown ideas without only depending foreign investment … Let’s roll.
In the meantime, I got go have some fun even though it’s so cold in Paris, France today.
Meant to say “Everyone” knows Warren Buffet … no matter how careful I try this smart phone thinks it’s smart than me and inserts other words on my behalf.
The wonders of artificial intelligence surprises me!!! How can a phone created by “human” intelligence think it’s smarter than me just because it has “artificial” intelligence?
Heaven help us all …
Deep stuff, BR. If we don’t dream and see our country as a bigger place, it never will be. Your positivity is inspiring. YOU SHOULD BE AT IDC!!!
Ba Zambian Citizen … let’s work together and build our country. Let’s run this country the best way we know how … So, help us God!!!
Natubombeshe bane tu twale ichalo cesu pa ntanshi.
Those who follow my postings should please note note that the blogger using my pseudonym of Facts is different from me. I do not subscribe to the politics my masquerader is espousing here.
Comment:great work Mr president,keep it up come down to the people in compounds and interact with so that you appreciate their challenges.
ECL is still the daring of crowds. You cannot take that away from him. Mind you that is Copperbelt. Karma is indeed a……
The first time I heard of Edgar Lungu was when he worked under Veep Guy Scott (not sure about spelling of last name!) as deputy minister.
But bamudala ba ECL we still need clarity on Mukula trees, NRDC and game parks issues. What’s not happening?
He has failed to clarify on those issues in State House ..you honestly think he would clarify on a campaign podium? You think highly of this man who lacks leadership…he would rather talk about shadows in his party
Great to see that the president is committed to seeing Zambia develop.
On the other hand it is interesting to see others getting annoyed to hear of the possible motion that encourages democracy at party level.
They want to train dictators at party level and launch them as democratic presidents at national level.
Amazing!!
Is it “amazing” to see his personal wealth developing whilst country is stagnating? Absolutely “amazing”?
I doubt you know what commitment to development is …even a blind man knows that!!
The organising committee for the Presidential addresses, please move with the presidential podium and the presidential seal wherever he wants to make any address.
Despite what the person is or may be alleged to be doing, HE is the president of the republic. There is a certain respect that goes with his office, he can suspend the constitution and render every Zambian vulnerable. Does he deserve to have a Mic standing on a little pole like he was Kevin Hart?
Your post is like Lazy Lungu’s utterances it does not make sense its balderdash!!
Greatest, I have not seen any interaction in the picture except the poor citizens staring like they have seen an angel. I don’t know what enabling business Lungu is talking about when you have to pay countless never ending fees to RTSA, ZRA, Council, government and more. Only the Chinese are benefiting because they can bribe their way out of these fees.
Liar in the likelyhool of the father of lies. Get busy and give Caesar that which belongs to Caesar. Get involved in some form of business and pay your taxes.You are obliged or obligated to pay your taxes. Get your as.s up and get busy, the president says he has your back. That does not mean you have tax exemption.
And how can you get Tax Exemption like Indians (Tax haven Reg. Co.), Lebanese (Hezbollah members) and Chinese (New colonial power)?
He is selling everything to his friends …I mean Public assets everything and then he is there talking absolute clap trap about creating an enabling environment…the lazy man is talking out of his *****
Kitwe residents have enjoyed longer hours of electricity and water supply since Edgar arrived. Whenever it thunders there’s usually power the whole day even if you call the faults centre countless times. But with Edgar around it’s not the case. Nkana Water must explain how they’ve suddenly managed to flood the townships with water. This is very mischievous to say the least!
Where is Bonehead Mushota!!!
well done on ZAFICO providing poles but Not enough, can ZAFICO also look at providing paper and ban all export of raw timber and slap heavy duties on imported poles and give tax breaks and inceptives to grow local timber forests for harvesting…..
That’s right. If we invest in production of pulp, paper and timber goods then we can easily become exporters in the region and significantly contribute to the economy.
There is Edgar talking about ZAFICO, yet he casually ignores the elephant in the room the Mukula Tree debacle…ZAFICO is not a success story as they are having issues paying their workers who were on strike. The use of wooden poles is outdated and puts a strain on natural resources …the way forward is going underground; in Europe you wont see any poles everything is underground even high voltage cables.
Great works mr president, zafico can become more successful if it can also start on products like mangoes processed into mango juice And growing coffee on a large scale
Do you know what ZAFFICO stands for? It stands for Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation Limited…now you tell me what that has to do with Mangoes.
This lazy moron does not know what “enabling business environment” he is so detached from reality you would think he is drunk when he opens his mouth…this is why the likes of Kalaba are making sense when they say Zambia is wide open to foreigners at the moment even Public contracts, land is being auctioned of to foreigners without thought.
Well done, ZAFFICO. IDC should now increase the capacity of ZAFFICO so that the cover the other provinces, western, luapula etc so they engage in massive tree planting, timber harvesting and processing training, setting up of micro and small sawmills, setting up of trading floors.
You can create a thriving enabling environment for business if you stop stealing from the people and not pay lip service to the corruption fight. You preside over a cabinet of thieves and plunderers. Show leadership Mr. President.
Great job Mr. President! Keep working while the tribes hate!
Dull HaJayJay and dull Chronic Loser! Guiness Book of World Record!
This is what will help in enabling a great business environment
1. Corruption. Do I need to explain how this cripples the business environment. So much money is spent in paying pribes. Weak enforcement in fight against corruption.
2. Access to finance/capital (CEEC and ZDA don’t do sh!t). Banks have high interest rates.
3. Tax rates. Introduce fairer taxes for local business. Too much of tax breaks. Zero % tax rate on dividends is bad for the business environment.
4. Poor work ethic in national labour force.
The hard working at ZAFICO, thats where all the credit goes – perood!!
We have a bad habit of praising the wrong people, especially politians!