UNITED States of America Ambassador to Zambia Mr. DANIEL FOOTE has applauded Government for the measures put in place in the control of the utilisation of government vehicles.
Mr. FOOTE said this when he paid a courtesy call on Minister of Works and Supply Mr. FELIX MUTATI at the Ministry Headquarters.

He said control of government fleet is commendable and added that under the public affairs department at his embassy, the US Government can help the Ministry strengthen its fleet management programme by having some of the staff exposed to the American system and learn how it is done there.

Mr FOOTE made this offer after Mr. MUTATI informed him that fleet management is one of the major programmes that his Ministry is working on and so far there has been positive compliance at the record of 85 percent as compared to 10 percent when the exercise commenced early this year.

Mr. MUTATI added that Government has been able to save more than K300m since the road blocks started and that the Ministry is now working towards incorporating technology which will further help curb misuse.

He said the main objective of the enhanced controls on the utilisation of government transport is to instil discipline and help government save the finances for other developmental programmes.

Mr. MUTATI further informed Mr. FOOTE that his Ministry is also focused and determined to revamp the Government Printers Department so that it prints not only the 2021 ballot papers but be able to do other works that it used to do in the past.

The other pertinent programme of interest Mr. MUTATI shared with Mr. FOOTE is the redevelopment of waste or idle assets earmarked for the creation of more office space for civil servants.

Mr. MUTATI said government was engaging with the private sector on a private public partnership (PPP) model that will eventually benefit both sides.

He noted that Government would appreciate the presence of the American business community in the redevelopment programme through the PPP programme.

On what the American Embassy in Zambia can do to help the Ministry, Mr. MUTATI pointed out three areas of concern which are, staff training exchange programmes, private sector investment under PPP and strengthening of the government fleet management.

And Mr. FOOTE said his Government is ready to assist the Ministry with the training exchange programmes as well as fleet management.

He also noted that his embassy would consult with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) which is a self–sustaining US Government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets to venture into the Zambian market.

The two leaders further shared views on how the tourism sector can benefit from some American philanthropists such as the head of Amazon and many others.

Mr. FOOTE was accompanied by Chief of Section for Political and Economic Affairs Ms. DOREEN BAILEY while Mr. MUTATI was with Permanent Secretary Ms. AGNESS MUSUNGA and Director Human Resources Mr. WEZI LUKHELE.

President Edgar Lungu has directed the Ministries of Mines and Energy to intervene in a matter where the Copperbelt Energy Corporation -CEC-intends to cut off power to the Konkola Copper Mines -KCM- due to outstanding debt.

Presidential Spokesperson Amos Chanda says the President hopes an amicable solution is brokered between the two private companies because of the role they both play in growing the economy.

Mr. Chanda says the two Ministries who have been assigned by the President can only facilitate for dialogue between the companies.

He says the options for the Ministries of Mines and Energy are limited because the two private entities are outside governments’ jurisdiction.

The Presidential Spokesperson said this when he responded to questions from Journalists during a media briefing held at State House today.

Meanwhile Mr. Chanda told Journalists that Zambia’s relationship with the International Monetary Fund-IMF- remains intact.

He said a delegation from the institution will soon be in the country for a series of meetings.

CENTRAL Province Permanent Chanda Kabwe says the construction of the multimillion dollar glass manufacturing plant in Kapiri Mposhi demonstrates the existing investment opportunities in the region.

Eagle Glass Manufacturing Limited, a sister company for Forestcol Fertilizer Limited is constructing the country’s biggest glass manufacturing plant along the Great North Road in Kapiri Mposhi.

The Chinese company which has also invested heavily in mining has so far employed more than 400 people at the project which started in May and is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

Speaking when he toured the site on Wednesday morning, Mr Kabwe said the project should also remind those attending the 2018 Central Province Investment Forum and Expo that the region has great potential for investment.

“You can’t have this kind of investment if people don’t believe in your policies as government; the people in Kapiri have been crying to revamp Kapiri Glass for so many years,” said Mr Kabwe.

“But the time to cry for Kapiri Glass is the issue of the past because we now have a new company, a new investor who will employ even more people when this plant is fully operational.”

Mr Kabwe who was accompanied by district commissioner Peter Mwiinde and council chairperson Obby Kabasa also urged potential investors to take advantage of the forthcoming Expo to explore investment opportunities in the region.

And Mr Kabasa said the coming of the glass factory would help the district to grow and expand its economy, adding that the district was rich in many natural resources including China Cray was used to manufacture Macopolo tails.

Foresticol Fertiliser assistant general manager Mark Wang said the company had decided to set up various businesses in Zambia after realizing that the country had best environment for investment.

Picture Caption
Central Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner Peter Mwiinde and Council chairperson Obby Kabasa as well as Forestcol Fertiliser assistant general manager Mark Wang touring the construction site.

The annual rate of inflation for the month of August 2018 has increased by 0.3 percent from the 7.8 percent recorded in July this year, to 8.1 percent.

This means that on average, prices of goods and services increased by 8.1 percent between August 2017 and August 2018.

Central Statistical Office (CSO) Acting Director Goodson Sinyenga said the increase in inflation was mainly influenced by a rise in prices of both food and non-food items.

Speaking during the monthly bulletin media briefing Mr. Sinyenga listed breakfast mealie meal, Cassava meal, purchase of vehicles and Charcoal as some of the food and non-food items .

Mr. Sinyenga said the annual non food inflation rate for August 2018 was recorded at 8.3% compared to 8.1% recorded in July 2018 which is an increase of 0.2 percentage points.

He says the increase in the annual food inflation Rate is mainly as a result of price changes of breakfast mealie meal and Cassava Meal.

Meanwhile Mr. Sinyenga has revealed that Zambia’s trade deficit decreased by 48.8% from K1, 620 Million Kwacha recorded in June 2018 to K829 Million in July 2018.

He says this trade deficit means that the country imported more that it exported in nominal terms.

Mr. Sinyenga said imports decreased by 12.9 percent from 10, 190. 3 Million Kwacha in June 2018 to 8, 877.4 Million Kwacha in July 2018.

[QFM]