President Edgar Lungu has castigated some opposition leaders claiming that Zambia is not a favourable destination for trade and investments.

And President Lungu has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to promoting trade and investment as a vehicle of creating jobs, wealth and economic development for Zambians.

Meanwhile, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Margaret Mwanakatwe, says government will soon present a bill to Parliament that will compel business entities to plough back a percentage of their profits in society.

ZANIS reports that President Lungu said contrary to wild claims by some opposition leaders and other detractors, the country is ranked 8th most competitive in Africa on the global competitiveness index.

He explained that Zambia is further ranked seventh in the Sub-Saharan Africa, fifth in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and fourth in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

The Head of State explained that the reforms have also enabled Zambia to be ranked fifth in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and fourth in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

The Global Competitive Index has ranked Zambia highly in terms of ease of doing business.

ZANIS reports that President Lungu said this when he addressed over 250 business executives and captain of industries at the business dinner organised under the Zambia-South Africa Business Council (ZSABC) at the Zambian Mission in Pretoria, South Africa, last night.

“My government has continued to pursue the implementation of the private sector development initiatives that promote and facilitate the development of a competitive private sector,” he said.

And President Lungu has implored business associations to help government translate these rankings of Zambia as the most competitive investment and trade destination into tangible investments.

President Lungu said government is looking to the private sector to augment policies of attracting increased private sector investment that will create wealth and jobs for Zambians.

“The Business Council is further expected to facilitate business interactions and also provide data on regulatory, labour and immigration issues,” he said.

He assured investors that his administration will continue to implement investment climate and economic policies aimed at creating an enabling business environment in order to lure Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and stimulate local investments.

“You are aware that it is a global trend for business councils for the private sector to establish business councils in order to compliment government’s efforts in promoting trade and investments,” he added.

Earlier, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Margaret Mwanakatwe, said government intends to present a bill to Parliament that will compel business entities to plough back a percentage of their profits in society.

Mrs Mwanakatwe said the bill, once passed into law, will seek to inculcate and enhance Corporate Social Responsibility of allocating a small percentage in growing small and medium enterprises.

She called on South African Investors operating in Zambia to replicate best business models that have seen the rapid growth of its businesses.

“Zambia intends to borrow a good law from South Africa that compels business entities to allot three per cent of their profits in promoting SMEs in the value chain.

And speaking at the same event, Zambia-South Africa Business Council (ZSABC) chairperson, Charles Kalema, said the council seeks to enhance trade and economic co-operation between the countries.

Mr Kalema said the council will also foster sustainable trade and investment co-operation between investors in the two countries.

According Mr Kalema the council has received overwhelming response that has resulted in over 100 investment portfolios, among many other investment enquiries in various sectors of the Zambian economy.

Foreign Affairs Minister Harry kalaba, Works and Supply Permanent Secretary Charles Sipaje and his Commerce counterpart, Kayula Siame attended the function.

Today’s Scripture

“Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. He said, ‘Come!’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.”

(Matthew 14:28–29, AMP)

Step Out of the Boat

Why do you think Peter wanted to get out of the boat? Why did he all of the sudden think he could walk on water when Jesus called him? Well, you might say, “Joel, it’s because he saw Jesus open the blind eyes and cleanse the lepers.” Yes, that’s true. But the other disciples in the boat saw the same things.

Why didn’t they want to get out? I believe it was because Peter understood that it was his time. He stirred up his faith. He believed at that moment that he could do what God placed in his heart. Jesus said, “Peter, do you want to get out of that boat?” He said, “Yes, I do.” Jesus replied, “Well, come on out.” Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “Peter, stay in that boat. Don’t you know I’m the Son of God?” No. He said, “Peter, I like your attitude of faith. I like the fact that you believe you can do great things.”

I encourage you today to have that same kind of boldness. Start believing that your time is here! All the dreams that you’ve buried, those desires that you thought would never work out, it’s time to start believing again. It’s your time, and it’s time to step out of the boat!

A Prayer for Today

“Dear Father, today I choose to believe Your Word. I believe You are faithful to complete the good work You’ve started in my life. I choose to follow Your voice and step out of the boat. Thank You for bringing to pass the dreams in my heart in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

The deal was signed here on the side lines of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which closed yesterday in Sandton City.

The whole project would cost US$492 million with CDB financing US$418 million while Zambia would foot the 15 per cent difference.

China Henan has been contracted to do the roads works which are expected to start in the first quarter of 2016 and completed two and half years.

The project would be undertaken in all districts including Kalulushi, Chambishi, Kitwe, Chingola, Mufulira, Ndola, Luanshya and Chililabombwe

Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda, who signed on behalf of Zambia, said the agreement said the Government valued the cooperation that existed between the two countries.

He said the modernisation of the roads on the Copperbelt was important because it the economic and political nerve center of the country despite the life span of most mining companies is nearing.

“Modernisation of the roads is one of the aspects of the Patriotic Front form of the development agenda,” Mr Chikwanda said.

Mr Chikwanda, who outlined the contribution of copper and other minierals to the economy, said the rehabilitation of the road network would reduce the cost of doing business and benefit the economy.

He said the project would also create more jobs for the youths during the construction phase and after.

The Finance minister, who appreciated CDB capital structure, said the Government would not hesitate to sign more finance agreements under well loan structured arrangements.

CDB Chairperson Hu Huaibang said China was keen to support Zambia and other countries to ensure they became self-sufficient in social and economic development.

He said the loan agreement was the bank’s top priority services to help African countries.

“This agreement would open more new areas of cooperation,” Mr Hu said

FDD President Edith Nawakwi has accused Republican President Edgar Lungu of putting the country’s peace and stability at risk saying hunger was a recipe for war.

Commenting on the late delivery of farming inputs, Ms Nawakwi observed that keeping people hungry would bring anarchy and promote civil strife in the country saying “a hungry man is an angry person.”

She further explained that national security was not just about guns but that the greatest war was in one’s stomach adding that the nation’s security depended on people not being hungry.

“I think that President Lungu wants to bring war in this country because if people are hungry they are likely to start fighting. If we don’t eat that’s a State security issue, State security does not only mean guns but people’s stomachs as well. A hungry man is an angry person,” Ms. Nawakwi said.

Ms. Nawakwi further accused agriculture Minister Given Lubinda of being ignorant of the country’s agriculture sector saying he just sits in his office at Mulungunshi House were he drinks coffee.

“That Minister of agriculture is lazy, he just sits in his office at Mulungunshi House, he doesn’t even know that farmers have not received their inputs. He doesn’t know anything about Agriculture and he is completely ignorant about the operations in the Agriculture sector.”

She called on the Government to put their acts together and ensure that inputs are given to the farmers before the situation degenerates to another Copperbelt where over 10,000 workers lost jobs.

Ms. Nawakwi said this in Chikankata where she was monitoring the delivery of Soya Beans seed to cooperatives in the area.

The FDD has donated Soya Beans and Maize seed, requisite chemicals and knapsacks valued at over K27,000 to ten cooperatives.

Meanwhile, the opposition leader said a farmer should not only be given seed and fertilizer but should be fully supported with all the necessary requirements including technical support to ensure a maximum yield when harvesting.

” As FDD we want Small Scale Farmers to succeed. We believe that if a farmer is fully supported he will grow enough to eat and sell so that you can build better houses, take your children to good schools and remain with something for a rainy day or for medicine. this is the difference between us and our friends in the PF, for them farming is about growing enough for stomach only”.

“They think that farmers in the country are only interested in eating and not bettering their lives. Everyone in this country wants to be better off but how can you move from the state of poverty and squalor when your government can not fully support you? I know even in these village you want your children to do better, produce more and buy Canter trucks so that they can drive to Mazabuka and Lusaka.”

“When we form government we will fully support the farmers for 3 years and by that we mean providing all the necessary inputs, chemicals and technical support to ensure that they succeed in moving from the state of poverty to successful farmers.”

Eunice Mweene who spoke on behalf of the women called on fellow women across the country to support their fellow woman in next years elections saying she had demonstrated that she was more than capable of leading the country.

She said women for a long time had looked down upon their fellow females and that it was now time for them to stop thinking that only men can be leaders further encouraging them to aspire for leadership positions and stop the self pity.

She also thanked the FDD President for the gesture and promised to ensure that they get the maximum yield as all the requirements had been provided including technical support by a trained Agriculturist.

In pictures

Remy Mainga of MRI Syngenta explains how to plant Soya Beans for maximum yield as FDD President Edith Nawakwi looks on.

One of the beneficiaries of the grant Mrs Mweemba demonstrates how to use a knapsack as FDD President cheers her.