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The President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, has urged Chinese business leaders to attend the Africa Investment Forum scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 7-9 November 2018.
Adesina made the call while addressing delegates at the 6th Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs, which took place on the sidelines of the 2018 Beijing Summit, attended by leaders from 53 African countries and China.
“I am sure you all know Africa is the place to be. African economies are growing well and the GDP growth rate is projected to average 4.1% this year,” he said.
Akinwumi had lively exchanges with high-level officials and business leaders from China, led by Vice-Premier Liu He, Governor Yi Gang of the People’s Bank of China, and the President of China Development Bank, Zheng Zhijie.
Responding to questions by China Economic News (CEN) on how China could be unique to Africa, Adesina said, “China doesn’t just promise, China delivers.”
In another interview, with China Daily, he noted: “There’s a perfect alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and the ‘High 5s of the African Development Bank Group.” The Bank is already discussing with China Development Bank about formulating large-scale projects, which can fit in the both of the frameworks.”
The Bank President also described the relationship between China and Africa as a mutually reinforced partnership, noting that there are 10,000 Chinese companies and 1.3 million Chinese people throughout Africa.
Adesina cited significant trade imbalance as a challenge to be tackled. While nearly 90% of China’s exports to African countries are high-value-added products such as machinery and equipment, 75% of Africa’s exports are raw materials. He therefore called on Chinese companies to invest, and not just contract or provide loans to Africa’s public sector.
Highlighting energy and the agriculture and food sectors as opening vast opportunities and potential to China and the world, Adesina expressed hopes for a strong representation by Chinese businesses at the upcoming African Investment Forum in South Africa.
“This is not a talk-show, it is all about transactions. US$92 billion portfolios are already set on this platform,” Adesina said.
The Africa Investment Forum will convene project sponsors, borrowers, lenders and investors, necessary for accelerating investments in Africa. The three-day event will unite global pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and other financial sector investors.
The Forum will also bring together a network of financial institutions with instruments to de-risk selected investment opportunities.
During his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2018 China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping referred to the Africa Investment Forum as a concrete step for “building a shared future.”
Jinping pledged to extend a US$60 billion financing package and US$10 billion investment in Africa over the next three years.
China-Africa trade amounted to US$174 billion in 2017, a huge increase from just over US$10 billion in 2000. Chinese foreign direct investments in Africa have risen from US$10 billion in 2010 to over US$60 billion in 2017.
Screening of inmates for Tuberculosis (TB), at Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Prisons has commenced. The screening is being done by Ministry of Health in collaboration with a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), called Chichetekelo Outreach.
Chichetekelo Outreach Executive Director Billy Sichamba confirmed the development with ZANIS in an interview in Kabwe.
Mr. Sichamba, who is also Kabwe Deputy Mayor, said his organization is working with the Ministry of Healthy, PATH Zambia as well as the Zambia Correctional Service Authority to screen all prisoners at the correctional facility.
He revealed that the Ministry of Health is providing the expertise services as well as the machinery to screen the inmates.
Mr. Sichamba disclosed that so far his organisation and partners have screened about 166 prisoners and 55 inmates have been presumed for TB.
He said testing of sputum is being carried out by Mahatma Ghandi Clinic, Kabwe General Hospital and Prisons Medium Clinic because they are the only facilities which have machinery to test for TB in Kabwe.
Mr. Sichamba revealed that the procedure to test for TB is cumbersome as it takes over two hours to test one sample of sputum.
He explained that this will result in taking a lot of time to conclude the exercise at the facility.
Mr. Sichamba noted that there is need for his organization to purchase motor bikes to be used to transport samples of sputum to the clinics to quicken the process.
He revealed that the response from inmates for the screening process of TB is overwhelming.
Chichetekelo Outreach Executive Director added that, Officers at Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility are also requesting to be included in the exercise.
Ndola City Council Public Relations Manager Tilyenji Mwanza
Ndola City Council (NCC) says it is grateful with the cooperation the business community has rendered over the construction of the Dag Hammarskjold under bridge in the provincial capital.
NCC Public relations manager Tilyenji Mwanza says her Council has received tremendous support from stakeholders such as the Road Development Agency and Zambezi Portland who have contributed 300 cubic meter of concrete mix towards the completion of the works.
Ms. Mwanza however said the Local Authority is still looking for more materials to finish the embankment and part of the drainage system.
The Dar Hammarskjold under bridge road was in deplorable state which resulted in low business activities in the district as people abandoned the road despite it being a shorter route to the industrial area.
As a result, the road in question which is a link to the industrial area from the central business district has resulted in the extension of its life span to 20 years.
The one kilometer stretch being constructed by China Jiangxi, the contractor government has engaged to do the C400 road project in Ndola district.
Under the C400 , Ndola District has been allocated 53 kilometers of roads under phase 2 which will commence as soon as the modalities are concluded.
Recently Province Minister Japhet Mwakalombe made an appeal to the business entities in the Ndola to come on board and contribute building materials towards the completion of the construction works.
Mr Mwakalombe said there is a variation to the initial schedule of works which has affected the quantity of materials needed hence the appeal for more support to ensure the under bridge road is completed by next month.
Government will ensure the forthcoming Central Province Investment Forum and Expo is well publicised both locally and abroad.
This is because the expo is an important forum for marketing the province’s vast investment potential to both local and foreign investors in line with Government’s job and wealth creation agenda.
The assurance is from Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya.
This was when Central Province Minister Sydney Mushanga accompanied by his Provincial Permanent Secretary Chanda Kabwe, paid a courtesy call on the Information Minister at her office in Lusaka at which the role of the media was amplified as critical in the successful hosting of the expo.
“The Ministry will facilitate space on all media platforms including twitter, facebook and other communication channels to ensure there is a story daily on the expo,” said Ms Siliya. “Arrangements will also be made for the provincial team to feature on key platforms such as ZNBC Sunday Interview to publicise this important event.”
Hon. Mushanga, in reply, thanked the Ministry of Information for its commitment to working with the provincial administration, adding that the role of the media is critical in the province’s successful hosting of the expo.
“We thought of coming to see, you, Hon. Minister because of the strategic role of your ministry in the successful hosting of the expo we are going to hold from 8 to 13 October, 2018. Central province is endowed with a lot of natural resources in agriculture and agro processing, fisheries and livestock, tourism, mining, energy and infrastructure development and manufacturing, hence the expo in order to expose these and other opportunities for investment,” said Hon. Mushanga.
Central Province Investment Forum and Expo 2018 will be held under the theme “Accelerating Investment for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.”
“The expo will stand to be the most important forum for investors looking for opportunities in Zambia and willing to set up business operations in Central Province.” said Hon. Mushanga.
Zambia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Dr Joseph Chilengi presents a gift to Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, Binali Yildirim in Ankara
SPEAKER of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, Binali Yildirim has called for institution-to-institution cooperation with the National Assembly of Zambia to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Mr Yildirim said he was looking forward to undertaking reciprocal visits with his Zambian counterpart, Dr Patrick Matibini to share experiences and best practices.
“I think this is going to be another step for improving our relations. Of course we are ready to share our experience in the parliamentary system after switching from the parliamentary system to the Presidential system and the role of parliament is becoming more and more important,” Mr Yildirim said.
He made the remarks when Zambia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Dr Joseph Chilengi paid a courtesy call on him at his official residence in Ankara today.
Mr Yildirim also said the Zambia Parliamentary Friendship Group had been established in the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey with Justice and Development Party (AKP) Bursa Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Atilla Odunc as its president.
He further pledged to expeditiously preside over ratification of the 12 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) signed between Zambia and Turkey to enhance bilateral trade relations between the two countries.
Mr Yildirim said Turkey was committed to increasing the trade volume with Zambia for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
“Regarding the agreements we signed in Lusaka during the recent visit of our President, His Excellency Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, we also want them implemented and passed through Parliament to increase bilateral trade. So as Speaker of Parliament, I will be taking care to accelerate this process,” Mr Yildirim said
Turkey and Zambia signed 12 agreements during President Erdogan’s historic visit to Zambia on July 28, 2018.
The signed cooperation agreements cover the fields of agriculture, stockbreeding, fisheries, tourism, trade and investment, sports, forestry and diplomacy.
Mr Yildirim also said more needs to be done to increase the trade volume between Turkey and Zambia because the current low levels of trade do not reflect the potential of the two countries.
The trade volume between Zambia and Turkey currently stands at US$21.8 million with Turkey recording US$ 15.6 million in exports and US$5.2 million for Zambia.
“Discussions on the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement will start next October, I hope this will be concluded as soon as they reach an agreement,” Mr Yildirm said.
He also noted that relations between Zambia and Turkey have gained momentum with the recent reciprocal high-level visits between the two countries
Mr Yildirim said the warm relations that exist between the two countries have an enhancing impact on overall relations between Turkey and the entire African continent.
And Dr Chilengi said the 12 bilateral agreements signed between Zambia and Turkey will strengthen the existing warm relations between the two countries.
He also said Zambia wants to tap into Turkey’s experience in the country’s efforts to enhance its democracy.
“The Turkish Parliament is a reservoir of knowledge in parliamentary business with the First Ottoman Parliament having opened in 1877,” Dr Chilengi said.
He urged Mr Yildirim to visit Zambia and interact with his Zambian counterpart and MPs as parliamentary diplomacy can better be played by the two Speakers.
Dr Chilengi said this would go a long way to strengthen constitutionalism, rule of law and democracy in Zambia.
Zambia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Dr Joseph Chilengi with Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, Binali Yildirim in AnkaraSpeaker of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, Binali Yildirim welcomes Zambia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Dr Joseph Chilengi at his official residence in Ankara
FILE: Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor-Operations, Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu speaks to Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Margaret Mwanakatwe at the Bank of Zambia stand at the 2017 Copperbelt Agriculture, Mining and Industrial Networking Expo (CAMINEX)
An Economist has said that the pronouncement by the Central Bank to prohibit unwarranted bank charges and fees will motivate more citizens to open bank accounts, adding that the move can also lead to lower lending rates.
Mr. Mweemba explained that when a lot of people bank their money, it can trigger the lowering of lending rates because banks will have enough liquidity to loan out.
He said the Bank of Zambia’s pronouncement also provides an opportunity for financial institutions to collect more from people.
On Tuesday, the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) issued a directive on the prohibition of unwarranted charges and fees to all financial service providers, which came into effect on Tuesday the 4th of September 2018, through Government Gazette Number 6693, is pursuant to section 167 of the Banking and Financial Service Act No. 7 of 2017.
BoZ Deputy Governor for operations Bwalya Ng’andu said that the Central Bank had determined that the imposition of 26 unwarranted charges and fees on members of the public is an affront of the rights of consumers of financial services.
Dr. Ng’andu says imposition of 26 unwarranted charges and fees also undermines efforts towards financial inclusion in Zambia.
Below is the list of the 26 items classified as unwarranted
FILE: A HEALTH official going through a medical card of a passenger who had just disembarked an international flight at the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola . The process is part of screening for Ebola at entry points into Zambia.World Health Organisation (WHO) has placed Zambia among countries at risk of the Ebola disease outbreak.
This is due to Zambia’s porous borders shared with countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has recorded cases of Ebola disease.
WHO Country Representative Nathan Bakyaita said that there was need for the country to be on high alert, adding that was the reason the WHO had partnered with Zambia to help prevent any eventuality.
The WHO representative said this when Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya and North western province minister Naheniel Mubukwanu visited the centre were the Ebola rapid response preparedness team is being trained on handling any Ebola related cases.
And Dr. Chilufya has implored the public and health personnel in North Western Province to remain alert and report any suspected Ebola outbreak in the area because North western is a border province with the DRC where the disease has been detected.
The minister also assured the people in all border areas with the DRC not to panic over Ebola outbreak in Congo as his ministry is ready for any outbreak of the disease.
And Mr. Mubukwanu has urged the people to be on high alert and report any suspected Ebola cases in the area.
The dam wall at the Kariba North Bank Power stationInitial rehabilitation works have started on the dam wall at Lake Kariba the world’s biggest man-made lake has started.
Minister of Energy Matthew Nkhuwa says the contractor who will fix the dam wall after it developed cracks has started grading an access road to the site of work.
Mr Nkhuwa says government remains confident a good job will be done.
Lake Kariba provides hydro-electricity to Zimbabwe and Zambia.
And Mr Nkhuwa says government is pleased that Copperbelt Energy Corporation-CEC and Konkola Copper Mines-KCM have resolved their issues.
He however hopes KCM will honour its obligations to CEC for a smooth relationship after the power supplier-imposed electricity restriction on the mining giant.
Mr Nkhuwa was speaking to ZNBC news after officiating at a training workshop on renewable energy in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, Italian envoy Filippo Scammacca says his government will support the Zambian government’s efforts to diversify its energy sector.
Mr Scammacca says renewable energy is an emerging important area of development for both developed and developing countries.
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya welcomes Champions for an AIDS Generation leader former President of Namibia Hifikepunye PohambaGovernment with support from the Global Fund has invested four million dollars in the construction of two medical store hubs in Western and North Western provinces.
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya says construction of medical hubs in Mongu and Kabompo is expected to start in the next few weeks.
He says this will improve efficiency on the supply of medical supplies in the two provinces.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chilufya has disclosed that the contractor engaged to construct 74 health posts in North western province, Jaguar overseas is already in the country and will finish the works within 18 months.
The Minister of Health was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on North Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu at his office.
And Mr. Mubukwanu said the massive infrastructure development that the government has embarked on has changed the face of the province.
President Edgar Lungu has said that the twinning of Muchinga Province to Jiangxi province of China, must result in investments into Zambia.
President Lungu said that investors can put their money into farming blocks and help establish industrial economic zones across the county.
President Lungu further said that the twinning of various cities in Zambia and China is aimed at promoting industrialization.
President Lungu said this during the Zambia-Jiangxi Investment Promotion held in the Chinese City of Jiangxi.
President Lungu said the upgrading of infrastructure such as roads and airports is part of government’s move to facilitate trade and investment.
And China Chamber of International Commerce Chairperson Xu Guojian pledged to encourage more Chinese companies to invest in various sectors of the Zambian economy.
Mr. Guojian said Zambia is the best investment destination because of its stable political leadership as well as the peace and stability the country enjoys.
Earlier, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Christopher Yaluma assured the investors that his ministry will provide the necessary help for them to open businesses in Zambia.
President Lungu later expected to witness the signing ceremony of the twinning of Muchinga and Jiangxi provinces.
Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone will sign on behalf of the Zambian government.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has pledged to construct a prefabricated health post in Kanyama constituency ward 11 located in John Laing Township at a cost of US$60,000.
USAID Discover Regional Director, Simulyamana Choonga has indicated that the construction works for the project will commence in the next two months and are expected to be completed before the end of this year.
Dr. Choonga has stated that the health post will provide among other services, the Out Patient Department (OPD), Voluntary Testing and Counseling for HIV and AIDS as well as provide antenatal services.
And Kanyama Member of Parliament Elizabeth Phiri has praised the USAID for its efforts in supplementing government’s efforts of providing quality health care to its citizens.
Mrs. Phiri, who is also Minister of Gender, stated that government has been providing an enabling environment for its cooperating partners to invest in various sectors that promote development.
She noted that government prioritises the health of its citizenry and will ensure that health facilities and services are brought as closer to communities as possible.
The Minister explained that the people in Kanyama have for a long time been depending on the Kanyama Level one hospital which is congested due to the vast catchment areas.
Mrs. Phiri said she will continue engaging cooperating partners to ensure that more clinics and hospitals are constructed in her constituency so as to reduce distances people walk to get to health facilities.
She further noted that construction of more health posts will further reduce maternal and child mortality in the area.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Media Liason Officer at the Ministry of Gender, Mwape Mwenya.
The National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) says it will embark on a Food and Nutrition survey to collect nationally representative data that will help in the design of appropriate nutrition programmes.
Commission Senior Nutritionist, Belinda Tembo said the food consumption survey will help government collect information that will help promote consumption of healthier foods.
Mrs. Tembo said with rising cases of diseases in the country such as obesity, there is need for the country to have data that is trustworthy and nationally representative.
She said presently, the country has no conclusive data on the number of obesity cases though, the Zambia Demographic Health Survey indicates that incidences of obesity have risen from 19 to 23 per cent among women of child bearing age.
Mrs. Tembo said the survey will seek to look at food and dietary patterns in the country that will be used to design programmes that will promote better food and nutrition practices.
She urged Zambians to desist from junk foods and eat lots of greens and traditional foods as well as change food preparation methods.
Mrs. Tembo said the commission expects the survey results to be ready by the end of the year and results will be disseminated next year.
She further affirmed that the commission will embark on a campaign to promote the good food logo on locally produced foods to guide the general public on which foods to buy on the local market.
She said the World Food Programme has since come on board to support the roll out of the good food logo campaign.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe, Communications and Transport Minister Brian Mushimba and Huawei Senior vice-president Li Da Feng
Minister of Transport and Communications Brian Mushimba paid a visit to StarTimes Group headquarters in Beijing this week, during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Hon. Mushimba was accompanied on Tuesday by Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development Ronald Chitotela, Minister of Presidential Affairs Freedom Sikazwe, and Minister of Mines and Minerals Richard Musukua.
The Zambian delegation had a meeting with the President of StarTimes Group, Pang Xinxing, where Hon. Mushimba commended StarTimes for their role in the “10,000 African Villages” satellite TV project, as well as digital TV migration.
Mr. Pang thanked the ministers for their visit and noted that StarTimes looks forward to further cooperation with Zambian government in the future.Vice President of StarTimes Group, Guo Ziqi then led the Zambian delegation on a tour of StarTimes headquarters.
On October 1 2017, the Zambian government officially began digital television migration, with the switch off of analogue signals. The aim of the move is to totally upgrade the Zambian TV industry, and bridge the ‘digital divide’ between rural and urban communities.
TopStar – a joint venture company created between ZNBC and StarTimes – has been authorized by the government to oversee digital migration in the country.
The “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages” project is a China-Africa Cooperation program, which was announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping on December 4th, 2015 when he was present at the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
The project aims to enable African families in rural areas to have access to digital signal with high-quality images and TV programs that are educational as well as entertaining.
President Lungu with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other African Head’s of State shortly before the opening Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)
The 3rd edition of the Forum for Africa – China Cooperation (FOCAC) came to an end on 4th September 2018. We now reflect on what has been deliberated and more so what Zambia has benefited. The FOCAC summit is a meeting between China and Africa and is largely premised on ways to increase diplomatic, economic and bilateral ties. This year’s edition theme was “China and Africa: Towards an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation.” Established 18 years ago, FOCAC has led in spearheading international cooperation with Africa and has become a significant marker of South-to-South cooperation. One of the major deliverables of the summit was to link the Belt and Road Initiative with the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and individual countries’ development plans to explore new territory for Africa’s revival. This therefore means that African countries positioned to negotiate the most beneficial trade and economic deals in alignment with their individual development paths and plans. The 2018 summit also unveiled two key outcome documents, namely; The Beijing declaration and Beijing Action Plan that outline the new nature of China-Africa relations.
Major Initiatives announced from the FOCAC summit:
During the FOCAC summit, 8 new initiatives were announced backed by a new US$60 billion support to Africa for the next 3 years. These are:
Industrial Promotion Initiative; This will result in the opening of a China-Africa economic and trade expo in China. It will also lead to establishment economic and trade cooperation zones in Africa.
Infrastructure Connectivity Initiative; This will result in the formulation of a China-Africa infrastructure cooperation plan with the African Union. This stands to complement the AU’s agenda of the Continental Free Trade Area and the continued quest to promote integration.
China will launch a Trade Facilitation Initiative, which will see a deliberate move to increase imports, particularly non-resource products, from Africa. This will also culminate into the China International Import Expo with the least developed African countries participating to be exempted from paying exhibition stand fees.
China will launch a Green Development Initiative; to undertake 50 projects for green development and ecological and environmental protection in Africa to expand exchanges and cooperation with Africa on climate change, ocean, desertification prevention and control, and wildlife protection. A China-Africa environmental cooperation center will be set up, and more policy dialogue and joint research on environmental issues will be conducted.
Capacity Building Initiative; China will share more of its development practices with Africa and support cooperation with Africa on economic and social development planning. Ten Luban Workshops will be set up in Africa to provide vocational training for young Africans.
Health Care Initiative; China has decided to upgrade 50 medical and health aid programs for Africa, particularly flagship projects such as the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention and China-Africa Friendship Hospitals.
People-to-People Exchange Initiative; China decided to establish an institute of African studies to enhance exchanges with Africa on civilization. The China-Africa Joint Research and Exchange Plan will be upgraded.
Peace and Security Initiative; China decided to set up a China-Africa peace and security fund to boost cooperation on peace, security, peacekeeping, and law and order.
To ensure that these eight initiatives are implemented on the ground, China will extend US$60 billion of financing to Africa in the form of Government assistance as well as investment and financing by financial institutions and companies. This will include:
US$15 billion of grants, interest-free loans and concessional loans,
US$20 billion of credit lines,
The setting up of a US$10 billion special fund for development financing and
US$5 billion special fund for financing imports from Africa.
Chinese companies have been encouraged make at least US$10 billion of investment in Africa in the next three years.
We also observe that in addition, for those of Africa’s least developed countries, heavily indebted and poor countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing countries that have diplomatic relations with China, the debt they have incurred in the form of interest-free Chinese government loans due to mature by the end of 2018 will be exempted.
What are the Opportunities for Zambia? What has the country managed to secure?
During the FOCAC summit, the Republican President Edgar Lungu and Team of ministers have been negotiating trade and economic deals for the country aimed at complementing the development efforts as enshrined in the Seventh National Development Plan. Some of the major agreements and MOUS’s that have been signed include the following:
The Chinese Government has given Zambia a grant of thirty million dollars ($30 million) for the Lusaka East Multi-facility Economic Zone and another $30 million interest free loan for economic cooperation to facilitate the reconstruction of Mulungushi Conference Centre in readiness for the African Union heads of state summit in 2022.
Republican President Edgar Lungu and his Chinese counterpart President Xi facilitated the signing of three memoranda of understanding (MOUs). The MOUs are on economic and technical cooperation, Belt and Road Initiative and the protocol for the export of Zambian honey to China.
There have also been Business Agreements among them the assessments and preparation of the bankable feasibility studies and implementation of Lusaka Mass Transit Railway Corridor project, which will see the construction of a transit railway link to reduce congestion on the roads of Lusaka.
The Government of the Republic of Zambia signed two Memorundums of Understanding with Huawei aimed at building a better-modernized Zambia. The aim is to promote connectivity and modernization to the telecommunications sector. The two MOU’s are:
National Broadband Access Project and
Smart Zambia Phase three project.
The Republican President further met a total of 15 companies and investors expressing interest in a wide range of investment destinations ranging from biotechnology, railway construction, hydropower, road construction, housing – infrastructure in general and other priority areas where Zambia wants to invest and develop. PMRC backs the President’s call for a win- win approach to any form of investment and business explorations in Zambia.
PMRC Analysis
PMRC has been actively pursuing a win package for Zambia, having been involved in several exchanges with “special FOCAC technical committees” during the pre FOCAC deliberations. Our main submissions have been bordering around a positive scenario for Zambia’s growth anchored on Mining, Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing and Commerce. We have also been submitting on the need for technology transfer and capacity building initiatives to equip the young people with practical industrial expertise. We have further been submitting on the need for industries to be set up in Zambia to support our quest of being a manufacturing hub in the region. Observing the resolutions from the FOCAC, PMRC remains hopeful that Zambia has been able to negotiate some agreements that will compliment our development path as anchored in the Seventh National Development Plan.
As the 2018 FOCAC dawned to a close, the challenge remains on the African countries, not to lose sight of their shared development path and quest for integration, amidst development initiatives and financial pledges from China. The AU Continental Free Trade agenda remains one of Africa’s landmark undertakings that would promote integration and trade among others. The challenge for Zambia is to continue negotiating for the best deals especially those aimed at promoting development of manufacturing industries and industrial parks to promote value addition especially in agriculture and mining. Furthermore, Chinese high-tech companies should be encouraged to set up numerous development bases in Africa to promote technology transfer. This should extend to agriculture demonstration centers and other advanced methods that would promote crop diversification and larger yields. Zambia’s prospects for diversification away from mining are within the agricultural sector given our rich natural resource endowment. Initiatives such as the recently signed protocol at the FOCAC for the export of Zambian honey to China are welcome but this should be extended to other products to lessen the country’s dependence on copper exports, as the main source of foreign exchange. Copper exports have proved to be unsustainable due to international price volatility.
Considering the limited role that domestic investment plays in financing Zambia’s diversification, foreign capital especially under the platform of Public Private Investment may be essential for financing infrastructure and large-scale modernizations required for a successful diversification strategy in Zambia. Foreign Direct Investment into Zambia has the potential to increase both physical and human capital accumulation. Physical capital would accumulate if Chinese firms invest in buildings, machines, and tools that would increase production of domestic goods. Human capital would accumulate when professional know-how and skills are transferred to Zambia, through employee training, efficient organization and manufacturing structure.
In recent years, China-Africa people-to-people exchanges have grown, but still lag behind economic and trade cooperation. China-Africa people-to-people exchanges should pay special attention to the needs of young Zambians since they account for a large percentage of the population and face challenges such as unemployment. FOCAC presented a platform to discuss the plight of the youth unemployment and with initiative number five (5) on capacity building, we submit that more innovation hubs and entrepreneur centres should be established to promote skills development in the country. Long-term, sustainable China-Africa development depends on providing socio-economic opportunities for the young people from both sides and this initiative must be pursued strongly by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Africa should not lose sight of its own development path with initiatives such as the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) agenda and open skies initiative; in view of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. Africa should be more united and pursue a joint strategy on how to engage China better. It is a matter of fact that China remains Africa’s number 1 trading partner but the question remains; how much more are African countries also looking to strengthen trade within themselves, in view of this massive injection of funds from China? PMRC submits that Africa should still pursue its own home grown development path funded by domestic resources and promotion of trade and integration within the continent. With the eight (8) initiatives stamped at the FOCAC shaping the new path of China Africa relations, Zambia should strategically align programmes to benefit from the broader development commitments. The country should however not lose sight of its quest of focusing on homegrown development initiatives amidst these opportunities from the FOCAC. On the MOU’s and business agreements signed, PMRC welcomes the new market for Zambia’s honey as this will further promote the sector and generate revenue for the country. We further call on government to extend this to more products so as to support the growth of the Agriculture value chain. It is also gratifying to note that China is joining in the quest to decongest the capital Lusaka. We are aware that India is also supporting this project with the proposed construction of fly over bridges and the speed trains will promote mobility within the city. We however advise that Zambians should be priority to partner on these projects for employment and technology transfer. The success of these deliberations and agreements depend on how vigorously the country will pursue follow up implementation sessions and also constantly engaging with the economic and trade partners. PMRC further advises Government to continue pursuing policies that promote the livelihoods of the citizens and also create employment opportunities for the youth.
Bernadette Deka
Executive Director
Policy Monitoring and Research Centre
A Milenge woman has been left homeless after her irate ex-husband allegedly burnt down her house to ashes.
ZANIS in Milenge reports that Luapula Province Police Commissioner Elias Chushi confirmed the incident and identified the suspect as Peter 54 of Muntu Village, Chief Sonkontwe’s chiefdom.
Property worth over K 7, 000 and hard cash amounting to K 450 has been destroyed in the fire.Police have since launched investigations into the matter and are search of the suspect.No life was lost in the incidence.
