Connect with:
Sunday / April 27.
logo
mobile-logo
HomeStandard Blog Whole Post (Page 153)
Lifestyle

Minister of Home Affairs Steven Kampyongo has launched the Zambia Police 2019 -2021 strategic plan which seeks to achieve a conducive governance environment.

Speaking at the launch of the strategic plan held at Mulungushi Conference Center on April 23, 2019 attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Kampyongo said the strategic plan is aimed at addressing the current and emerging security problems such as human rights trafficking, cybercrime, money laundering and gender-based violence among others.

Kampyongo says the plan also lays out a comprehensive framework within which the Zambia police service will make strategic decisions to combat crime and promote human rights in collaboration with its clients and stakeholders.

He said that it envisaged that the strategic plan will assist the Zambia police service create a safer, secure and peaceful environment for social and economic development of the country.

“It is therefore, my expectation that all police officers will translate the board plan into specific operations work plans, further I expect all police commanders to realign their work plans to conform to this strategic plan in order to ensure that the Zambia police service is transformed as it is envisioned in this document,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, deputy Inspector General of Police Bonnie Kapeso said the Zambia Police strategic plan also indicates and re-emphasizes on the dire need of enhancing community policing as one of the strategies of crime eradication.

He added that in order to successfully eradicate crime, it is imperative that police officers work in close collaboration and partnership with members of the public. Kapeso has further appealed to police officers across the country to be disciplined and desist from indulging in partisan politics, abuse of social media and instead dedicate their efforts to supporting policies of the government of the day.

In addition, the Police expressed regret on the misconduct exhibited by the late police officer Constable Jackson Mwanza who had gone on a shooting rampage which led to death of two people and injured two others.

Constable Mwanza who allegedly shot himself on April 21st ,2019 after being hunted by the police and was believed to have killed two people and injured two others on April 20th in Chainama area of Lusaka.

The police have however passed their message of condolences to all bereaved families adding that his command through the strategic plan will institute measures to avert the recurrence of such misconduct by police officers.

0 Comments
0 likes

Minister of Home Affairs Steven Kampyongo has

Agribusiness

The National Union for Small Scale Farmers – NUFSSFZ in Zambia has called on government through the Ministry of Agriculture to reconsider suspending the export of Maize and Mealie meal as it is likely to invite price volatility.

During the 3-day 2019 Agritech expo themed “growing knowledge of the future” held at Chisamba last week, President Edgar Lungu directed the Ministry of Agriculture to immediately suspend the export of maize and mealie-meal until Zambia takes full stock of the food reserves.

President Lungu reversed the decision to allow for exports following the dry spells experienced in the southern parts of the country and the spike in mealie meal prices following the resumption of maize and mealie meal exports.

And NUSSFZ Chief Executive Office Frank Kayula told Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that closing borders for small scale farmers in a small market like Zambia will invite the prospect of significant price volatility hence the need for government to keep markets open to sustain the incentives for farmers to engage in maize production.

Kayula said government should instead strengthen the regulatory aspect and issuing of export licenses for Maize and Mealie-meal as suspending the exports completely will make it difficult for the private sector to undertake re-investment decisions.

He says it is considerate that Zambia needs to secure food reserves as a nation, but there is need to consider importing from cheaper sources to ensure that the private sector can keep their supply agreement with outsiders as opposed to re-instating the ban.

“One day will reach a situation where buyers will say Zambia is unstable and will not rely on us to purchase the commodity hence, they’ll forget about us and farmers will not have access to foreign markets in order to increase their income,” he said.

He added that the union notes government’s efforts to improve the private sectors players situation in the country by timely distribution of inputs adding that more of that is needed not only for employment but for farmers to be able to sustain their businesses.

Kayula has however advised farmers to get ready to harvest and not be carried away by the instability of prices adding that there’s need to maintain their food security while conducting their businesses to lessen the burden of having shortage of maize – the country’s staple food.

0 Comments
0 likes

The National Union for Small Scale Farmers

Markets

The International Monetary Fund – IMF has projected that Zambia’s economic growth rate will fall to 2.9% next year from the 3.1% targeted for this year 2019.

In the annual World Economic Report released at the just ended Springs Meeting in Washington D.C, the report indicates that the country’s Gross Domestic Product- GDP growth rate has dropped from 3.5% in 2018 to 3.1% in 2019 and that it will further drop to 2.9% next year.

And Zanaco head of Economics and research Dr. Patrick Chileshe told the Zambia Business Times – ZBT in an interview that if government which is the largest spender is not spending as expected, then all other economic sectors are likely to be negatively affected which will result in low economic activity.

“The growing fiscal challenges that government is facing which has seen government struggle to make good use of its financial obligation such as dismantling of arrears,  slow payments for goods and services, the delay in salaries for government workers in the recent past will have a negative effect on the growth of the economy,” he said.

Dr. Chileshe also said that the re-introduction of the sales tax is causing a lot of anxiety among business which has led to business owners postponing some investment project as they wait to observe how the sales tax is going to play out overtime.

“Some Investors current business plans were made during a period when cash projection where based on a VAT system. Now with the introduction of the Sales tax, many companies might suspend their projects until they are clear of how the sales tax will impact them ,” he said.

Dr. Chileshe added that the country’s current account balance is being projected to be in negative due to a lot of negative investors sentiment from abroad. He says some investors are largely diversifying out of the Zambian market and re-investing their capital in other market.

0 Comments
0 likes

The International Monetary Fund - IMF has

Tech

The Zambia Metrology Agency – ZMA is set to launch a pilot project aimed at promoting competitiveness and fairness of trade through the use of standardized measures and empowering traders with skills and harmonization of trade practice in the markets.

Speaking during the business meeting with stakeholders held at ZMA offices in Lusaka attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, ZMA director of Legal Metrology Humphrey Nkobeni said that the Agency has acknowledged the common use of a traditional instrument “MEDA” which has for a long time been existence especially in public markets hence the need to actively seek ways to ensure that the measuring instrument promotes efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of traders.

Nkobeni said the project will ensure that there’s increase of knowledge among traders to realize reasonable profits using correct measurements, identify appropriate measurement trade methods for certain products in public markets and identify other appropriate trading methods such as prepackaging and use of weighing instruments.

“It pleases me to say that as an agency, a lot of research has been done and we are making headway to help meet the demands from both consumers and traders in this ever-evolving world, hence we are here to present the information we have gathered about the Meda and most importantly hear your comments and concerns about this project we plan to launch,” he said

And ZMA senior metrologist Mwewa Kapotwe also added that the project to be launched at a latter date is set to run for a period of 5 months in 5 provinces across the country which include Lusaka, Copperbelt, Southern, Northern and Eastern provinces.
She said once the project is implemented, they will be consistency among traders country-wide as opposed to some Meda’s on the market which have no consistency in the material and capacity measures being used.

Speaking at the same event Mtendere market board secretary Pathias Munsaka says the move is welcome as standardizing the meda will create fair competition and trade among traders and boost the economic cycle of the markets and the country at large.
He has further urged ZMA to roll out sanitizations programmes for the standardized meda’s to avoid unscrupulous people from taking advantage of this new project.

0 Comments
0 likes

The Zambia Metrology Agency - ZMA is

Mining

Gemfields Zambian unit, Kagem mine has contributed approximately US$107 million to the Zambian government in cumulative corporation taxes, mineral royalties and dividends. This means that almost 20 percent of Kagem’s revenues have flowed to the Zambian government in the last decade.

“We are excited because appreciation of Zambian emeralds is gaining momentum internationally given the uniqueness, clarity and transparency that is characteristic of the gemstones,” said Gemfields’ gemmologist, Elena Basaglia.

Basagalia told the Zambia Business Times – ZBT that Emeralds from Zambia’s Kagem Mine has continued to impress and capture the eye of some of the foremost gemstone buyers and jewelers around the world.

“Growing popularity of the ‘evergreen’ gemstones from Lufwanyama is in part thanks to a growing love for the green gems but also the relentless passion for and promotion of the responsibly sourced gemstones by parent company Gemfields,” the mine has said.

Kagem, located on the Copperbelt is the world’s largest emerald mine and source of ‘Inkalamu’ the ‘Lion Emerald’, a 5,655 carat Zambian emerald crystal with remarkable clarity and a perfectly balanced golden green hu,e one of the most outstanding and unique stones to have come from the mine.

Kagem is 75% owned by Gemfields and 25% by the Industrial Development Corporation – IDC of Zambia. Proceeds from its regularly held auctions are fully repatriated to Zambia, with all royalties due to the Government of the Republic of Zambia being paid on the full sales prices achieved at the auctions.

0 Comments
0 likes

Gemfields Zambian unit, Kagem mine has contributed

Companies

AB Inbev Zambian unit, Zambian Breweries has handed over a cheque worth K80,000 to the National Heritage Conservation Commission for maintenance work at the Mosi-oa-tunya Victoria falls National heritage site as part the company’s support for the country’s tourism and arts sector.

Speaking when he handed over the cheque in April 2019, Zambian Breweries head of marketing Sabajene Munkombwe said the company is committed to ensuring that Zambia’s tourism sector is well maintained to safeguards the country’s heritage.

He said that the Zambian Breweries has partnered with the national heritage conservation for the last two years and that the company has contributed funds toward the Mosi-ao-tunya Victoria falls maintenance in order to ensure that the tourism sector thrives.

And Minister of tourism and arts Charles Banda thanked Zambian Breweries for the commitment shown in the last two years to protecting the countries tourism sector by contributing money every year that is being used for maintenance.

The Minister has since advised the Conservation Commission officers to use the money for the intended purpose of maintaining the tourism sector.

And National Heritage Conservation Commission Managing Director Collings Chipota says the works that the Zambian breweries is doing is a demonstration of their commitment to ensuring that the victoria falls and the worlds heritage site is not just published in Zambia but promoted worldwide.

“The partnership that we have had with the Zambia Breweries for the past two years has yielded great results. Zambian Breweries donated K50, 000 to the commission two years ago which was used for rehabilitation works that were meant to promote the state of the conservation and ensure that visitors feel comfortable at the site,” he said.

Chipota added that last year, Zambian Breweries made a contribution of K65 000 which was used for the works at the entrance of the falls site and rehabilitation of the ablution blocks which is right inside the site.

He said that the Commission has this year identified some of the works that needs to be done and among them is the rehabilitation and maintenance of the barricades. He says there is need to rehabilitate the barricades so as to maintain safety for visitors and that the K80, 000 donation that Zambian Breweries has made will be channeled towards that goal.

0 Comments
0 likes

AB Inbev Zambian unit, Zambian Breweries has handed

Lifestyle

Zambia’s new HIV infections per annum among adults has dropped from 67,000 to 43,000 per annum. Speaking at the April 2019 spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, National development planning minister Alexander Chiteme stated that the Zambian health systems has scored some notable achievements.

Chiteme called for a sustainable financing to reduce the huge economic impact of HIV on developing countries, increase research to find the cure, reduce stigma and scale up support to rural communities. He further called for concerted efforts to broaden research into finding the cure to diseases and addressing disparities in the provision of support to people living with HIV/AIDS in urban and rural areas.

The minister was speaking at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the Fund’s Headquarters in Washington DC when he participated in the High-Level meeting on Economic Impact of HIV Spending and Joint Efforts to Plan for a Sustainable HIV response.

Chiteme disclosed that more than 4 million people access HIV Counseling and testing services annually and over 75 percent of people living with HIV are on life-saving anti-retroviral treatment. The development planning minister said estimated annual new infections among adults aged 15+ continue to decline from 67,000 in 2009 to 43,000 in 2018, while those for children aged 0-14 years declined from 23,000 to 8,700.

He added that the annual AIDS related deaths have decreased from 69,000 in 2002 to 19,000 in 2018. He said Zambia had made substantial progress in the response to HIV and AIDS. “I want to assure you that government will continue to develop mechanisms for its long-term sustainability of the HIV response in Zambia.

We will embrace the National AIDS Spending Assessment (NASA) principles to ensure that we are making right decisions in the allocation of resources for the HIV response.”

0 Comments
0 likes

Zambia's new HIV infections per annum among

Lifestyle

The cost of living for an average family of five in Lusaka has increased by K212 from K5, 331 in February 2019 to K5, 543 in Match 2019, the Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection – JCTR has revealed.

According to the JCTR latest Basic Needs Basket – BNB report issued to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT,  JCTR Programmes officer Chanda Chileshe stated that the most significant increases were recorded in the price of charcoal which increased by K27 from K132 in February to K159 in March per 90kg bag. Most of Zambia’s households still rely on charcoal as an energy source for cooking and heating.

Chileshe said the center has noted that the cost of food items on the market has continued to increase and remained high with an increase to K1, 657.15 in March, up from K1, 495 .86 in February 2019,  making it unaffordable for many households.

He disclosed that Zambia has been encountering adverse effects of changing weather patterns that have comprised of dry seasons, increased temperatures and flash floods hence this has threatened food security in the country and is resulting in hunger and increased price of key staple foods like maize.

“JCTR has always cautioned government on the need to diversify the agriculture sector, as this may stabilize domestic prices of essential food commodities and produce sufficient food for the whole year even in the face of changing climatic conditions, however, the government has been slow to actualize diversification and this has had perennial negative effects on prices of basic household essentials,” he said.

The BNB report also showed that mealie meal prices increased by K14 from K86 in February to K100 in March for a 25 kg bag, green vegetables increased by K5 from K8 in February to K13 in March, Sugar increased by K1.5 from K25.5 in February to K27 in March per 2 kg.

Some reductions were however recorded in the price of fish which reduced by K13.5 from K140 in February to K126.5 in March per Kg and Tea reduced by K 25.5 from K96 in February to K70.5 in March per Kg. He added that the increase in the price of mealie meal was due to the scarcity of maize on the market adding that the two factors accounted for this scarcity are the reduced maize stocks at this time of year and the lifting of the mealie meal export ban.

The report stated that the lifting of the maize and mealie meal export ban was done abruptly and without careful considerations of its impact on the cost of mealie meal locally hence the center the center is happy to have learnt that government has now reversed its position on the export ban.

He reiterated that the increase in the price of charcoal is attributed to high transport costs that are being incurred when transporting charcoal while the reduction in the price of fish is attributed to increased supply of the commodity on the market after the rainy season as well as the small scale fish farming output.

JCTR has also urged government to promote agriculture diversification other than concentrating on maize production as maize is a political crop and too much reliance on it will affect the country’s food security negatively especially during this time of harsh climatic conditions which do not guarantee to a good maize harvest.

He further said the addition of new crops or cropping systems to agricultural production is a sustainable solution to food security and an addition to the farmer’s income hence the need for government to work with farmers and the private sectors to promote crop diversification.

0 Comments
0 likes

The cost of living for an average

Tech

BlueCloud is set to start offering a plug and play cloud based application in Zambia to contribute to technological improvements and enabling businesses to implement call centre and telesales marketing systems for their busineses instantly.

Born in Mauritius but living in Australia, Antoine Nookadu who is the founder and current director of BlueCloud Australia has spent 32 years abroad and holds a track record in Strategic Business Management, Sales & Marketing.

Nookadu was instrumental at developing a reseller network in the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. BlueCloud UK was launched in 2018 and is also another major accomplishment which exposes BlueCloud to the Euro market.

Nookadu told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that BlueCloud is a very simple to use application and designed for the non-techies.

“If you have a call centre or telemarketing team working on the phone, you will require clients’ information to display in front of you during a call. Traditionally, servers are used to host CRM applications as well as PABX Systems to handle calls.

“Imagine a solution which does not require large IT Teams, servers, security, applications and service agreements. Plugging to the cloud makes it possible to not only save money but also streamline your operations and allow the owners total visibility. Any Where, Any time, Any Device”

Nookadu says that he will be based in Mauritius as he opens this new region and plans to deploy a technical support team in the 3rd quarter of 2019 which will help support French speaking countries both in Africa and Europe in the near future.

BlueCloud Australia is the licensing company – based in Sydney Australia with a portfolio of licenses globally and terminating calls in more than 20 countries. It also holds sales offices in the Phillipines, Australia & NZ, the United Kingdom and now Africa.

BPO campaigns run on the BlueCloud platform globally include Amnesty International, Rams, Qantas, NAB, Allied, B2B and H2C (German Affiliate here in Mauritius) and many more.

The BlueCloud Founder told ZBT he is offering Zambian companies a plug and play cloud-based Contact Centre application which delivers an integrated CRM and telephony solution. BlueCloud can be implemented in only a few hours and is available on a subscription basis (no contracts) at the low rate of Euro 40 per seat – prepaid monthly.

This means that with good internet, a call centre or telemarketing can cut down technology costs by 2/3.

“If you are running a telemarketing team in-house, a customer service team, have an inhouse sales department or simply a research team, BlueCloud will make it very simple for you to conduct both inbound and outbound calls handling activities.

0 Comments
0 likes

BlueCloud is set to start offering a

Markets

The Zambia National Commercial Bank – ZANACO has projected that the country’s economic growth rate will slow down in the years 2019 and 2020 due to various factors among them poor rainfall pattern experienced in the southern part of the country.

The commercial Banks Global Economic Review and outlook report for the month of March 2019 made available to the Zambia Business Times -ZBT has indicated that poor rainfall pattern will negatively impact growth through reduced crop yield in 2018/2019 season as well as reduced power production at Zambia’s hydro power plants.

It is expected that faster dwindling water levels at Kariba dam, Zambia’s largest water reservoir, will limit the country’s ability to generate adequate power to meet its needs.

Consequently, Zanaco anticipates that Zambia’s utility operator ZESCO will start rationing power supply thereby adversely impacting economic activity. For example, water levels at Kariba dam are now 35% full compared to 61% full during the same period in 2018

The Zambian economy will also grow by 3.4% in 2019 and 3.6% in 2020, 0.8% and 0.7% lower than our earlier projections.

However, the fiscal challenges facing the government as debt service obligations mount will continue to exert pressure on the government to cut expenditure on key sectors which is likely to hurt economic growth.

High frequency data has also suggested that domestic economic activity returned to its now familiar territory in March 2019 after posting gains in February 2019, thereby ending Q1 2019 on a subdued note.

The Stanbic Markit PMI, a measure of private economic activity dipped below the benchmark of 50 falling by 4.6% to 48.1 in March from 50.4 in February 2019. The deterioration in economic activity is attributed to decreased demand for goods and services as slowing economic activity starts affecting household and business incomes.

0 Comments
0 likes

The Zambia National Commercial Bank – ZANACO