workers who defied the directive but they will not be paid for the month of June in which they did not work.

Speaking in Ndola today President Banda said he has pardoned the health workers who did not report for work after government gave them an ultimatum to report for work on Monday last week or face dismissal.

He said paying them will make them repeat going on such illegal strikes.

Mr Banda said he has pardoned the health workers because he understands that they have families to look after.

The President urged the workers not to listen to politicians who encourage them to go on strike as it was not the best way of resolving their grievances.

He also condemned labour union leaders who encourage workers to go on strike because such actions will not help build the country.

President Banda noted that it was regrettable that many lives were lost during the strike by the health workers.

Health workers went on strike for the whole month of June demanding improved conditions of service.

They have since called off their strike following government’s assurance that it will attend to their demands.

ZANIS

Parliamentary chief whip, Vernon Mwaanga, says government should to concentrate on developing the country and spend less time politicking.

Mr Mwaanga says national building involves seriousness, hard work and a mythological way of planning in order to achieve programs on economic zones like those of China.

Mr Mwaanga was speaking in Lusaka today upon arrival from the People’s Republic of China where he led a delegation of 22 experts that went to learn China’s experience and achievements in economic and scientific development zones which have seen that country lead in most developmental areas in the world.

He said the delegation learnt a lot from China’s experience which involves a lot of concentration on income-generating and wealth creation by engaging all the citizens into progressive ventures.

He praised the Peoples Republic of China for improving the lives of many of its citizens through economic activities such as better schools, roads, telecommunications, networking, Information Technology (IT), infrastructural development and employment creation.

Mr Mwanga said during their stay in China, the delegates received a lot of lectures in the major towns where they visited, such as Shanghai, Chezeng and Chengin which are very advanced in the area of technology.

He said the delegates, who included most senior government officials,learnt that the Chinese did not talk about politics, but spent time talking about development. Among the delegates were members of parliament, the Director General of ZRA, town clerks from the Copperbelt and a representative from the Ministry of Finance among other delegates.

Mr Mwaanga pointed out that economic emancipation needs people who are focused on issues of development, adding that the Chinese people have increased and developed talents among the citizens, a situation which he said has led to improvement of their lives.

He said Chinese lessons are very important for the Zambian’s because that is the only way people’s lives would be uplifted.

Mr Mwaanga noted that recently, many people in China were living in abject poverty but have since been lifted from poverty to wealthy people.

He commended China for making steady progress, such as moving from 12 to 14 per cent above national progress growth.

Mr Mwanga emphasised that Chinese people have moved forward over the years because of their work culture, saying people can only improve if they change their mind set.

He further said the government should move to the middle-income level through development if the 2030 vision has to be attained.

ZANIS

Government has observed that the 44th edition of the Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) has come at a time of economic uncertainty.

Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Richard Taima said Zambia’s economy was currently in an unstable condition mainly due to the global economic recession.

Mr. Taima said this yesterday when he officially opened the one day small scale business forum at the ZITF’s presidential pavilion.

“The 2009 Trade Fair has come at a time of uncertainty regarding our economy. We all know that the global economic growth slowed down from 3.7 per cent to 2.5 per cent in 2008,” he said.

He however said government had already taken steps to redress the situation.

He said already government had found a strategic partner at Luanshya Mine, adding that the move had brought relief in the country.

Mr. Taima further said government had embarked on other supportive measures such as the announced reduction in customs duty on heavy fuels mainly used in the mining sector from 30 per cent to 15 per cent.

He also said the deferring of value added tax (VAT) on copper concentrates as another measure being taken by government through the Ministry.

He explained that all the measures were being put in place to reduce the cost of business in the mining industry, so as to encourage existing mines to remain in business.

The ongoing ZITF is expected to be officially opened by Republican President Rupiah Banda and his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete on Sunday.

ZANIS

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Ndola today, Buks Haulage Limited, operations manager, Artson Munyenda, said the level of theft of copper concentrates on the Copperbelt is increasing at a fast rate.

Mr. Munyenda expressed worry that most of the thefts are committed by suspected Chinese nationals, who are in the country on the pretext of being investors.

He said the situation is also disturbing the transporters involved in the transportation of copper concentrate meant for exports.

He further narrated that trucks for BHL carrying about 198 tonnes of copper concentrates were hijacked by thieves but later intercepted with the help of the police.[quote]

He called on government to put more efforts in addressing the problem before it degenerates into a crisis.

And acting Copperbelt province commanding officer, Danwell Kasonde, also confirmed the increase in thefts of Copper concentrates by suspected Chinese nationals.

Mr Kasonde told ZANIS that the incidents of thefts of copper concentrates by Chinese national has increased.

He, however, said Police are working hard to arrest the situation.

He said lack adequate transport is hampering Police efforts to address the problem, but was quick to mention that the donation a vehicle to the Flying Squad Unit by BHL will go along way in fighting the crime.

ZANIS