The government says it will address the issue surrounding the operations of Konkola Copper Mine ( KCM ) and Mopani Copper Mine ( MCM) within the quickest possible time. Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane says this is because a huge amount of capital is required to resuscitate the two mines.

Speaking at the post-budget symposium in Lusaka, Dr. Musokotwane disclosed that discussions to bring a lasting solution to the matter are already underway adding that the general public will in due course be informed on the way forward.

Government has through Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holding ( ZCCM-IH) taken over Mopani Copper Mines and is in the process of identifying an equity partner while KCM is in liquidation.

Meanwhile, the Minister said the government is currently subsidizing fuel to the tune of 21 million United States dollars on a monthly basis. Dr. Musokotwane admitted that government is in dilemma regarding the issue of fuel.

Getting fuel from Indeni is expensive in comparison with purchasing finished oil produce from the Port of Dar es Salaam through the TAZAMA pipeline.

“If we want cheaper fuel, then of course it means that we cannot buy from Indeni but If we want Indeni it means we must accept more expensive fuel, these are the choices we have to make,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government has defended its decision to increase the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax threshold to 4, 500 kwacha in the 2022 National Budget, an increment of only 500 kwacha.

Speaking at a post-budget symposium in Lusaka yesterday, Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane explained that the budget was too tight, noting that the demand for areas needing resourcing his high.

The Minister noted that it is for this reason that in the area of education, that the most efficient way to handle the issue, was to make secondary school education free for all scholars.

Dr Musoktwane revealed that even though the tax threshold was increased by only 500 kwacha, implementing the free education policy, will cushion the spending burden of workers.

He said adjusting the tax band beyond the set threshold can only benefit those in formal employment alone at the expense of groupings that do not have formal jobs.

“If we adjust the tax, we are not benefiting them in any way band (those who are not in formal employment). We actually thought that by making education free, we are targeting a bigger group of people to be beneficiaries, a low level civil servant out there who was previously paying school fees for the children, in one go, you have given money to them.” Dr Musokotwane explained.

And Dr Musokotwane said the move by government to stop importing desks in next year’s budget, will create employment.

He disclosed that youths will be trained in craft skills to enable them the expertise to carry out such works.

Dr Musokotwane appealed to banks to soften conditions for youths to acquire loans in order for them to carry out projects in their localities.

“A loan of 10, 15 thousand kwacha can a do a lot to enable a youth to take up a contact to make hundred desks in the constituency, in the ward, this is where the jobs will go,” he said.

President Hakainde Hichilema says the bilateral talks he held with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth was anchored on enhanced economic and technical cooperation for both countries.

President Hichilema says trade and investment are the main issues raised during the discussion because they are one of the driving forces for jobs, business opportunities and other related aspects of social and economic development for both countries.

Mr Hichilema adds that his administration will for this reason ensure that the country’s economic diplomacy and desires are met.

“In all we do, it is Zambia and Zambians first while promoting joint ventures and ensuring that Zambia does not remain a landlocked nation but instead seen as land-linked and its benefits of being in this position must be felt,” he said.

The Republican President thanked the people of Mauritius who in turn congratulated the Zambian citizens for electing him into public office.

This is contained in a statement issued by Analyst for Press and Public Relations at state House Brian Mwiinga,

And President Hichilema earlier today had a brief conversation with the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, upon arrival at the Glasgow, Scotland World Leaders summit on climate change.

Mr Hichilema expressed optimism that Zambia and the UK will continue to support each other in key areas of good governance, economy, trade and investment including education and health.

Other than the common history the two Nations share, Zambia and UK will endeavor to promote peace and unity for development, said Mr Hichilema in the same statement.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema stated that he is confident that Zambia will to a large extent benefit and drift from an economically downtrodden Nation to a food basket through the engagements he had today.

“Great conversations around climate change and its effects we have had so far with fellow World Leaders. So far we have met the U.K. Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson MP and António Gutiérrez, Secretary-General of the United Nations,” he said.

According to the same statement, President Hichilema shared notes with fellow Heads of State ahead of World Leaders’ Summit in Glasgow, Scotland.

He explained that among the heads of states he had discussions with was President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya whom they discussed a wide range of issues beneficial to both Zambia and Kenya.

The Republican President also held discussions with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, with whom they discussed issues concerning cultural diversity between the two Nations, while fostering trade and investment.

Mr Hichilema added that he later had talks with President Félix Tshisekedi of Congo, where the duo reiterated their call for an urgent need to commence trade and investment processes between the two countries.

“With Presidents Lazarus Chakwera, Hage Geingob, Emmerson Mnangagwa and João Lourenço of Malawi, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Angola respectively, we discussed issues on the value of trade links among our countries as we position Zambia to become land-linked and subsequently benefit from her God given geographical position in the Southern African sub region,” he said.

President Hichilema said during the discussions with his fellow heads of states, he stressed the need for Africa to look for solutions from within.

Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie says his country is committed to supporting developing countries such as Zambia, in their struggle to safeguard sovereignty, security and developmental interests.

Mr Li made this assurance when he met President Hakainde Hichilema, at State House recently.

The Chinese Ambassador noted that COVID-19 remains a devastating reality world over, and China stands ready to ensure that there is a fair and equitable distribution of vaccines globally, to include accessibility and affordability in developing countries.

Mr Li explained that at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Xi Jinping announced that China will strive to provide a total of 2 billion doses of vaccines to the world by the end of this year.

He said in addition to donating 100 million US dollars towards COVAX, China will donate another 100 million doses of vaccines to other developing countries in the course of this year.

The Chinese Ambassador disclosed that China will further provide another 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Zambia, in addition to the doses that have been donated to the country.

He explained that the Chinese vaccines have been widely recognized with a high level of safety and efficacy, and believes that they will help Zambia defeat the epidemic and restore the economy at an early date.

Meanwhile, Mr Li has announced the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which is the first state-level expo, scheduled to take place soon, saying that President Hichilema has been invited to attend.

“President Hichilema will attend the 4th China International Import Expo online and is also expected to deliver a speech. The gesture will help Zambia’s quality products enter China. We hope that the Zambian side takes the CIIE as an opportunity and further increase export to China by making use of China’s preferential treatment of Zambian products”, he said.

The Chinese Ambassador noted that Chinese government, hopes to work with the Zambian government, and has encouraged more countries and organizations to participate in the Global Development Initiative on Partnership for Africa’s Development.

The Chinese Ambassador stated that this is in order to make positive contributions to African countries’ post-pandemic economic recovery and their stronger, green and sound development.

And President Hichilema thanked China for providing Zambia with vaccines and anti-pandemic materials, adding that the new administration pursues economic diplomacy, and is willing to develop friendly cooperative relations, with all countries in the world.

“Zambia’s new administration places a high premium on the Zambia-China friendship and is firmly committed to keeping good relations with China. We ready to explore new ways for more cooperation with China, benefiting the two peoples.” The President said.