President Banda says he has the mandate of the Zambian people to attract investment as opposed to accusations by some sections of society that he is involved in shady deals.
Mr Banda said some people have accused him of involving himself in questionable business transactions for his personal gain, which he said is far from the truth.
He said this yesterday when he officially opened Pick n Pay store in Lusaka’s Woodlands area.
“As President, I am proud that I do deals for the people of Zambia to better their lives,” he said.
Mr Banda said he has the people’s mandate to attract investment into the country.
He said he is not ashamed to say he met with Pick n Pay management in May 2009, in South Africa, when he went to attend the inauguration of Mr Jaboc Zuma as that country’s President.
Mr Banda said he is pleased that Pick n Pay is making use of local suppliers for commodities that can be obtained within the country.
He said he is also pleased that the outlet charges favourable prices and hoped they can be maintained.
Mr Banda pledged that government will continue to work hard to ensure that Zambian produce has access to the regional and international market and challenged local suppliers to ensure that their produce meets international standards.
“I am particularly heartened that Pick n Pay has kept its promise of ensuring that it sources some of its agriculture produce from our local producers,” he said.
Mr Banda said he is happy that the company has opened up its central distribution system to producers from Zambia.
He said if the quality and pricing of Zambian agriculture products is ideal, they will not only be bought by Pick n Pay Zambia but will be distributed and sold in any of the more than 800 Pick n Pay stores in South Africa and other countries.
Mr Banda said it is encouraging that management is working closely with the Ministry of Labour to set out conditions of service for employees.
“I urge you to look after our Zambian employees well and give them opportunities within your company…you will prosper in Zambia,” he said.
He said Zambia offers opportunities for investors that are willing to work with the nation on a fair and equal basis, adding that the nation has abundant skill and a disciplined and hard working population.
The President thanked investors that are already in Zambia saying they have contributed to the economy over the years.
Mr Banda said the fact that Pick n Pay has come to Zambia just when the world economic recession is ending is a vote of confidence in the country.
“It proves that we are still an attractive investment destination. I am happy to say while our expectations were that economic growth will decline due to the recession, it declined by much less than was anticipated,” he said.
Mr Banda said positive economic growth over the last two financial years of economic crisis has been due to prudent management of the economy.
He said efforts to strengthen reserves have continued and that they stand at US$2 billion and about four months of import cover.
The President said the country has moved from a maize deficit to a surplus.
Mr Banda later toured the store and bought a few groceries before going outside to greet people who were waiting to do some shopping.
And Pick n Pay group enterprises director Dallas Langman said the company will work closely with the community.
He paid gratitude to the employees for the support and loyalty to ensure that the store opens.
Mr Langman said the company will eventually spread to other parts of the country.
And Zambia Association of Manufacturers board member Chibamba Kanyama said the opening of the store indicates that the income circulation in the country is growing.
He described as a myth, the belief that income circulation is only among the 400,000 people in formal employment.
Mr Kanyama said the more trade outlets the country has, the more potential Zambian products will have to reach various destinations.
Private Sector Development Association chairperson Yusuf Dodia said the development is positive.
Mr Dodia said competition that the outlet will create will benefit consumers as prices of commodities will drop.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
Pick n Pay coming into Zambia is good news.
RB when you do the right thing, that is what we employed u for. When you do crazy things, we have to come hard on you!!!
HERB dont you worry you are a nice man and good leader. Look at the amount of good will we are receiving from donors and investors. Look businesses are thriving. we have big companies like tradekings, zambeef, saro, autoworld which are doing very well bcos of your leadership. Pick and pay has come to zambia bcos they have confidence in your leadership. how many big banks have come in zambia without fear so many. Its your clean hands and good governance. zikomo ba mudala
In the meantime, the opposition are opposing each other and RB looks more presidential and dignified.
Welcome Pick N Pay. Our brothers and sisters have jobs. We hope that you will give them a fair deal. To the workforce, lets prove that we deserve good conditions of service through honesty and hardwork.
Not sure there is anything to thank RB on when he makes such a statement. Why does he get paid for anyway? My biggest problem is that he doesn’t have the capacity to be a Leader who can bring the real change my generation needs! Just think about it, in 2006 he was at his MABALA drinking TUJILIJILI!
# 5 Point on. cant hesitate you taking Roy mwaba position. we need a balanced advise
time will tell..lets wait and see!!
E bwafya bwa pa Zambia. People getting excited over a grocery store that will simply externalise their profits. Pick n Pay and shoprite are 2 proudly South African chain stores and no one from outside South africa is as big as they are. Can’t we even just emulate the Kenyans and their Nakumart so profits stay within the country? Why do we get excited nokutulila amasuku pa mutwe?
# 9, thats the point. This Monkey of a President should have been proud only if the Pick n Pay franchise was taken up by a Zambian Citizen. Go to Pick and Pay and you will advise that more than 90% of the Total mechandise in that Shop is from South Africa. How does that benefit the downstream Industries. I know RB is dull but if any of the other bloggers were doubting, now this is the time to prove it.
Not sure what he means by his hands been clean. He had a very fake excuse of not welcoming the World Cup when it toured Zambia because it was sponsored by COCA COLA and he is Involved with the Indian (RJ Corporation) that are putting up a PEPSI PLANT. What can this monkey talk about when he mentions his hands been clean, ANYWAY, I HAVE NEVER HEARD HIM SAY ANYTHING SENSIBLE.