The United States Government has announced that it would provide up to US$120 million over a period of four years
under a new trade capacity building initiative, The African Competitiveness and Trade Expansion Initiative (ACTE), to intensify and focus more sharply the work of US Aid for International Development (USAID)’s African Trade hubs.

US Trade Representative and Head of Delegation Ron Kirk said the resources would be provided to improve Africa’s capacity to produce and export competitive, value-added products and to address supply –side constraints that impede African Trade.

Addressing delegates during the official opening of the 10th AGOA Ministerial Forum at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka today, Mr. Kirk noted that even in a very difficult US budget environment, this imitative would put significant resources behind the commitment to expand both US –African and Intra- African Trade.

ZANIS reports that Ambassador Kirk who delivered his speech shortly after President Rupiah Banda officially opened the AGOA Forum noted that investments would help drive economic development in African countries, and enhance trade opportunities among Africans and Americans.

‘’That is why, today, I am pleased to announce that the United States will support a new trade capacity building initiative, The African Competitiveness and Trade Expansion Initiative, or ACTE.

‘’And the hubs produce positive results for African farmers, factory workers, and families. For example, in 2010 alone, the trade hubs facilitated over US$100 million in African goods expors to the world, including $56 million to the United States, and assisted nearly 1, 200 African firms interested in developing or expanding their capacity to export,’’ Ambassador Kirk added

Ambassador Kirk who is also Minister in President Barack Obama’s office stressed the need to recognise that the private sector leaders want to see a high degree of transparency accountability and predictability when making trade and investment decisions hence the move by the US Government to work with African Governments to improve the business
climate in their countries.

Mr Kirk further stated that the United States supports African regional Economic integration, adding that reducing barriers
to intra-Africa trade and investment would improve Africa’s competitiveness, and that it would benefit American exporters as it
will became easier to do business in Africa.

“Many AGOA partners have already enacted far reaching economic and political reforms that have enhanced the business and investment climate, improved governance and addressed barriers such as corruption, lack of capacity and limited infrastructure” he said.

The envoy noted that the US would continue to support countries that took such concrete steps saying when focused on ambitious goals, demand mutual accountability for measurable outcomes, marshal resources in the right ways, bigger things could be done.

He further underscored that the United States was committed to promoting Africa’s economic Growth through Trade, adding that AGOA was a critical pillar in growing the US economic relationship with sub-Saharan nations.

Ambassador Kirk further stressed the Obama administration was also committed to working with congress towards a seamless renewal of AGOA beyond 2015 to provide the predictability needed for US and African businesses, entrepreneurs, buyers and investors.

At the same gathering Ambassador Kirk reaffirmed the US government commitment to work through Public Private Partnerships to address HIV/AIDS crisis noting that millions have access to treatment, HIV incidence rates dropped and people living with the virus live healthier lives.

He reminded African nations that the policies made today would determine the scope of future opportunities. The US envoy noted that the challenges for both Americans and Africans was to work together to get it right so that all the peoples could
compete globally.

ZANIS

Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) General Secretary Roy Mwaba has advised all contesting political parties in the forth coming tripartite elections to hold convetions to elect specific candidates ahead of the polls.

Mr. Mwaba said it is of prime importance that all contesting political parties to their individual convetions to demonstate their good governance ahead of the polls.

He said that political party and their leaders who do not hold convetions are a threat to Zambias’ young democracy . He expressed his fears that once in power without holding conventions , there is a high possibility of them becoming dictators.
The ZCTU Gen. Secretary said this in Nakonde yesterday when he addressed civil servants at Brooks Gardens drawn from various departments and ministries in the district.

“People who do not hold convetions become dictators when they are voted into office and they go to State House. This is the reason why we in ZCTU are demanding that all political parties taking part in the forthcoming tripartite elections should first hold convetions to elect leaders of the individual political parties,” said Mr. Mwaba.

The ZCTU Secretary General said it is a requirement even in other countries such as the United Kingdom and America to hold primary elections for all aspiring presidential candidates in order to promote transparacy and democracy in political parties.

Mr. Mwaba further said that all presidential candidates should clearly tell the people of Zambia what agenda they have for them hence why they should be voted for.

” There is need to arrange for a live debate where all the presidential aspirants can be accorded a chance to tell the Zambian people the agenda they have for this country, ” he said.

The ZCTU General Secretary also cautioned Zambians to ensure that they vote for people with integrity, who are morally upright and are Gods’ fearing leaders.

He also urged all the workers in the country to ensure that they take part in voting for national leaders on the polls day and should vote wisely.

Mr. Mwaba has also called for respect for all political players in the run up to the tripartite elections.

He was of the view that political campaigns should be issue based campaigns rather than character assassination saying politics of insults and mudslinging as the case is now, will not improve the living standards of ordinary Zambians.

The workers meeting in Nakonde was also attending by the district commissioner Billy Siwlimba, council secretary Francis Nkhoma and ZCTU district chairperson Nondo Kasanda among others.

ZANIS

Copperbelt University Union (CBUU) General Secretary Academic Union Elaston Njovu has today announced the end of one week go slow.

And the University management has commended the students at CBU for exhibiting exemplary behavior and maturity during the period of the go slow.

Mr. Njovu said this follows consultations with the Ministry of Education and his union.

He said the three unions have to this effect called -off the go-slow with immediate effect as the two parties agreed to proceed with negotiations.

This was disclosed in a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday.

The three unions in question are CBU Workers Union (CBUWU) , CBU Academic Union (CBUAU) and CBU Senior Administrative staff Union (CBUSASU). The trio have agreed to resolve the unrest at the institution.

Mr. Njovu said that the unions decided to respond and react to the consultative meeting adding that the meeting was very fruitful.

Mr. Njovu further said that the collective bargain is in process and he hoped that the negotiation will be carried out in a peaceful manner.

And Vice Chancellor Professor Mutale Musonda commended the students at CBU for exhibiting exemplary behavior during the period of the go slow.

Professor Musonda expressed gratitude to the labour movement for the support they have given in the consultative meetings that had taken place.

Speaking earlier Education Permanent Secretary Andrew Phiri said that the dates for the collective bargain will be agreed by both management and unions in order to resolve the unrest.

Last week Copperbelt University workers downed tools demanding for better conditions of service as they also rejected a five percent salary increment.

[ ZANIS ]

One hundred and seventy-two foreign nationals have been arrested for drug trafficking over the past one year with Somali recording the highest number.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Richard Taima says the foreign nationals were arrested between January 2010 and March this year.

Mr. Taima who is also Solwezi East MMD Member of Parliament says of the one hundred and seventy two foreign nationals arrested for drug trafficking, ninety have been convicted.

He, however, says no research has been carried out to establish Zambia’s rating in drug trafficking at international level.

Mr. Taima was responding to Chilubi Patriotic Front (PF)Member of Parliament (MP) Obius Chisala who wanted to know how many foreign nationals had been arrested for drug trafficking from January 2010 to March 2011.

Mr. Chisala also wanted to know the nationalities of the drug traffickers and how many have been convicted for drug trafficking.

This was during the question for oral answer session in Parliament Wednesday afternoon.
[ ZNBC ]

UPND vice-president in charge of administration Richard Kapita has said the PF is jittery because its leaders know that the party cannot win this year’s elections.

Mr Kapita said when his party was in a pact with the PF, the latter felt superior and its officials said they could win elections without the help of the UPND.

“Since they feel that they are more popular, we granted them their wish and left the pact. So why are they complaining now?”

“The PF are now feeling the pressure because people now know what happened with the pact, and they have decided to vote for UPND and Hakainde Hichilema and not Mr Sata who has false promises. The PF should leave us alone,” he said.

Mr Kapita said it is sad that Mr Sata’s campaigns are based on character assassination.

“The PF rally in Kabwe flopped because Mr Sata was busy talking about Dr Chiluba and Dora Siliya. Our rally was a success because Mr Hichilema concentrated on issues affecting the people,” he said.

And UPND has described Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Wynter Kabimba as the number one spoiler of Zambian politics.

UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said in an interview yesterday that Mr Kabimba is the number one spoiler in Zambian politics who is capable of destroying even his own party, the PF.

Mr Kakoma was reacting to Mr Kabimba’s recent statement on Radio Phoenix that the UPND is participating in this year’s elections as a ‘spoiler party’.

He charged that Mr Kabimba is the one who spoiled the pact and is now in the process of destroying the PF.
“Mr Kabimba is now busy spoiling what is left of the PF. He is antagonising the MPs (members of Parliament) and senior leaders in the PF,’’ he said.

Mr Kakoma said the UPND has decided to forge ahead in politics despite allegations by ‘prophets of doom’ that it is not popular.

“We are going to show Wynter Kabimba, the PF and other doubting Thomases that we are winning this year’s elections. We are gaining support and that is why the PF is panicking,’’ Mr Kakoma said.

He said voters have realised that the UPND is a formidable party but they are also sceptical of the likes of Mr Kabimba and other leaders in the PF.

And UPND Copperbelt provincial chairperson Elisha Matambo said in a separate interview yesterday that his party has weakened the PF on the Copperbelt. The UPND says it has become more popular than the PF on the Copperbelt and Lusaka since pulling out of the pact with the PF.

“We have been receiving defectors from the PF almost every day. People like the former Chifubu ward chairman, all the ward members in Luanshya Central and Nkana Constituency secretary have defected to the UPND,” Mr Matambo said.

He appealed to Mr Kabimba to stop blaming the UPND for the possible defeat of the PF during the forthcoming elections.

He wondered why Mr Kabimba is now talking about the UPND as a spoiler when it is in fact the PF which is contesting the elections as a spoiler.

Mr Matambo said the PF and Mr Kabimba must wait for the elections to prove who is more popular.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

THE ruling MMD has threatened to disqualify aspiring parliamentary and local government candidates who are misleading people that they are the preferred candidates.

MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu told a press briefing yesterday that the party has continued to receive reports that some aspiring candidates in this year’s elections are claiming Mr Banda’s support.

“I would like to send a stern warning that any party member using the name of the President, State House or the Secretariat to bulldoze his or her way to adoption will be severely disciplined and disqualified,” he said.

“The President has categorically stated that every party member is free to aspire for any ward or parliamentary seat. I would therefore like to emphasise that every member in good standing, wishing to contest either ward or parliamentary elections should apply to relevant authorities without any intimidation,” he said.

Mr Nyangu said candidates will be chosen by the grassroots and that there are no preferred candidates.

He said all well-meaning members of the party wishing to stand should apply.

Mr Nyangu also advised lower organs not to be too rigid in the process of adoption but assess the situation on the ground, considering, among other things, distances to be covered by the candidates to reach central points where interviews are being conducted.

He said lower organs should be flexible because the party wants to bring every member on board.

[Zambia Daily Mail]