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Agribusiness

Hybrid Poultry Farm Zambia says it is losing an estimated US$500,000 monthly due to refusal by the Tanzanian governments to grant the poultry breeding company a transit permit for Hatching Eggs from Zambia to Kenya through Tanzania.

In an exclusive interview with the Zambia Business Times-ZBT, Hybrid Poultry Farm Production Controller Aaron Banda said the breeding company had on 16th February 2019 written to the Tanzanian government for transit permit to transport hatching eggs to Kenya through Tanzania but that the Tanzanian government denied the breeding company permit.

This was due to the fact that Tanzanian government had in 2006 imposed a quarantine for any kind of importation of poultry products from around the global to safeguard the country against the deadly highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Diseases and that the quarantine is not yet waived to date.

“We are a breeding company and we export much of the product around Southern and Eastern Africa. Depending on the volume of the products exported, we move our products by air or by road. So the denied transit permit has enabled us not meet the required order by our customers in Kenya but instead deliver half of the orders causing us to lose on direct foreign earnings,” he said.

Banda also said the breeding company is losing customers in Kenya as is unable to deliver the required order focusing the customers to source for other suppliers.
“We are a COMASE region and transiting of products should be done freely without restriction. The excuse by the Tanzanian Authority is an justifiable as Zambia has never reported any Pathogenic Avian Influenza Diseases and that Tanzania is only being used as a transit point and not the destination,” he said.

The Production Controller says the Tanzanian government should be putting truckers on vehicles carrying poultry products transiting through their country to other destinations and remove the truckers at exiting points rather than completely denying exporters transit permits.

Meanwhile, Ministry Commerce Trade and industry is expected to hold a meeting with the affected parties over this matter next week

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Hybrid Poultry Farm Zambia says it is

Companies

Fly Emirates has been awarded Best First Class airline in the world at the 2019 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice® awards for Airlines.

The airline also clinched several other awards including Best Regional Business Class Middle East, Best First Class Middle East and nabbed the overall Travelers’ Choice Major Airline honour for the Middle East.

TripAdvisor has awarded the world’s top carriers based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for airlines by TripAdvisor flyers gathered over a 12-month period.

“Emirates’ First Class product is an end-to-end experience. It begins before the flight takes off – from the chauffeur drive airport transfer to exclusive check-in counters, use of our dedicated Emirates Lounges, and all the onboard comforts and services. We set the bar a long time ago defining what First Class travel should look like and we continuously invest in product and innovation so we are very pleased that our customers have recognised our unparalleled First class experience with this award.” Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline said.

Emirates’ First Class experience has defined premium travel introducing product innovations like private suites, the in-flight Shower Spa, the Onboard Lounge and many other industry firsts.

The airline’s latest First Class cabin features the game-changing, fully enclosed private suites inspired by Mercedes-Benz that have floor to ceiling sliding doors, sleek design features, soft leather seating, high-tech control panels and mood lighting.

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Fly Emirates has been awarded Best First

Mining

The Zambia chamber of mines has disclosed that the majority of mines are impacted by the new tax regime which has affected the import duties for concentrate imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC and that a lot of mines would be adversely effected because of circumstances surrounding the new tax bands.

Chamber of mines Chief executive officer Sokwani Chilembo said the new tax regime that was presented by minister of finance during the presentation of the 2019 budget in parliament will break the back of Zambia’s economy by shrinking productions in the mining industry and impact on work force hence result to less resources in the government’s revenue accounts.

Chilembo told Zambia Business Times-ZBT in March 2019 in an interview the tax regime has negatively effected the mining industry and those who rely on it success by negatively affecting their operations.

“We made submission to government to engage us and consider some proposals on import duties, Mineral Royalty Tax- MRT and the non-deductibility of MRT, however, we hope that government will engage us soon and find a positive way forward, “ he said.

He added that the Mineral Royalty Tax-MRT which has increased by between 25% and 67% across the different tax bands will double the taxation and takes no account of the need for re-investment in exploration and expansion.

Chilembo further said government has made a good decision to postponed the implementation of the sale tax adding that the bill should this time clearly state its rates and how it will be implemented.

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The Zambia chamber of mines has disclosed

Tech

The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) says it has not yet fined any chain store or person with regards to illegal importation of products containing Genetically Modified Organist (GMOs) considering the fact that the operations of NBA are relatively new and awareness is still being conducted with regards to the fine and court process to would be offenders.

NBA Act No. 10 of 2007 of the laws of Zambia provides that any person that commits an offence who researches, develops, imports, releases, places on the market or makes contained use of any genetically modified organism or product of a GMO without the written approval of the authority will attract a fine of 500,000 penalty units or 15 years imprisonment or both.

In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), NBA said the authority will continue with its surveillance, spot and compliance checks to ensure that it continues to protect the humans, animals and the environment.

But when asked if the three chain stores that illegally imported GMO containing products have been fined by the authority, NBA said it had not yet fined the stores but the products were seized and destroyed to safeguard humans (safety).

“The chain stores have since started the permit application process for the products that they did not have permits for. As for those that they get from other distributors they have got the permits and have them in their shops. Since the operations of the NBA are relatively new we are still conducting awareness with regards the fine and court process to would be offenders,” NBA said.

The authority adds that it has intensified the public awareness, sensitization and education programmes to ensure that the public is well informed on the NBA and its mandate. A number of programmes have been scheduled to ensure that the Authority captures a large number of people in the awareness and education exercise.

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The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) says it

Companies

Stanbic Bank Zambia says the financing of the Pinnacle Shopping Mall in Kabulonga that opened this week has brought the total value of the bank’s investment in the Zambian real estate sector to over K2 billion.

The 10,000 square metre Pinnacle Shopping Mall was developed by Vertigo Properties Ltd a subsidiary of Novare African Real Estate Fund with funding from Stanbic bank, says
Head of Corporate and Investment Banking Helen Lubamba In a statement made available to the Zambia Business Times-ZBT.

“We have aligned our business to support key economic sectors like mining, agriculture, energy and real estate and contribute to Zambia’s growth agenda. Our deep understanding and expertise in structuring financial solutions has seen us grow as leaders in funding important growth sectors of the economy not only in Zambia but on the continent.”

Pinnacle Mall is the eighth shopping mall in Zambia to be funded by Stanbic Bank.

Speaking during the official opening ceremony, Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame said Government was excited to partner with an investor like Novare due to the benefits their investment would bring to local communities and the economy.

“We realise that in the investment that Novare has made, we have a lot of backward and forward linkages that enable inclusion of local producers in the economy while also creating employment for locals,” she said.

And Novare Real Estate Holdings Chief Executive Officer Olaotse Leepile said the benefits of the mall go much wider than a mere shopping experience as it creates a market for local producers and businesses to participate and sell their products creating more job opportunities in the local goods and services value chain.

The public will also benefit from infrastructure like clean water and a modern sewer system installed at the facility, from which the surrounding communities and neighbouring schools can tap into, he said.

while Shoprite Zambia General Manager Charles Bota said
Shoprite Kabulonga, which is Pinnacle’s anchor store has employed 200 Zambians bringing the total number of people employed by Shoprite Zambia – both direct and indirectly – to 5,900 making it one of the biggest employers in Zambia.

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Stanbic Bank Zambia says the financing of

Markets

Zambia Congress of Trade Union-ZCTU says Illicit Financial Flow is a thorn in the flesh of the Zambian people and cannot be allowed to continue.

Speaking during the ZCTU/ Friedrich Ebert Stiftung – FES illicit financial flow (IFF) workshop on 27 March 2019, ZCTU Secretary General Cosmas Mukuka said the current economic challenges arising from the huge debt burden are indicative of government’s failure to collect potential revenue due to tax manipulation practice by multinational companies.

Mukuka alleged that a well-researched evidence by the Financial Intelligent Centre reports showed that Zambia is losing US$3 billion annually through illicit financial flows.

The High Level Panel of Africa Union chaired by former president of South Africa Thobo. Mbeki also compared a report in which it was reported that Africa was losing close to US$50 billion dollars through illicit financial flow.

“Comrades this is a battle we cannot afford to lose. The workers of this country have suffered for way too long, the burden of paying tax has been-pressed on our shoulders and yet the big multinational companies continue to dodge taxes through illicit financial flows. The mining companies in particular are the biggest culprits in this regards,” he said.

The secretary General added that it is in public domain that the country is losing huge sums of revenue from the extractive industry through tax manipulation practices. It is for this reason that congress has stepped up the fight by coming up with activities to raise awareness on the negative impacts of illicit financial flows.

ZCTU is stepping up efforts and collaborating with other like-minded organization such as the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Extractive Industry Transparent Initiative (EITI)-Zambia, the Center for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD), CSOs and other government agencies to pressure decision makers to put in place corrective measures to stop illicit financial flows.

And FES representative Cathy Shorty says a lot of illicit financial flows take place in the mines while 80 percent of the country’s GDP is derived from these mines. She says illicit financial flow deals disadvantages countries like Zambia and there is need for social justice to be seen in this area.

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Zambia Congress of Trade Union-ZCTU says Illicit

Markets

Zambia has record a trade deficit of K309 million in the month of February 2019 from a trade surplus of K938 million recorded in January 2019 which means that the country imported more than it exported in normal terms.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) Acting Director of Census and Statistics Goodson Sinyenga says exports decreased notably by 16.6 percent from K8, 373.6 million in January to K6,985.8 million in February this year.

The decrease in the value of exports is mainly attributed to the decrease in exports of intermediate goods by 22 percent and the net effect of these dynamics in trade was the trade deficit.

The Countries major export destination in February was Switzerland (home of Glencore, the parent company to Mopani Copper Mines) which accounted for 40.7 percent of the total export earnings while China was the second main export destination accounting for 17 percent.

The countries major source of import in February was South Africa accounting for 29.8 percent while China was second accounting for 18.6 percent.

Meanwhile, the year on year quarterly percentage growth at constant 2010 price shows that the economy grew by 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to 3.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The information and communications industry recorded the highest growth of 75.2 percent while the agriculture , forest and fishing industry has continued to record negative growth at -31.9 percent.

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Zambia has record a trade deficit of

Lifestyle

The Zambia Environmental Management Authority – ZEMA has confirmed that an environmental impact assessment was conducted on the construction project of the US$100 million Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-tunya resort in Livingstone and that the project was approved by the authority.

National Pension Scheme Authority – NAPSA had last week unveiled the commencement of the construction of the US$100 million landmark investments in Zambia’s tourism capital of Livingstone.

However, concerns were raised by some environmentalists, Livingstone based lodge owners and other interest groups to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT indicating that part of the land offered for the construction of the hotel is within the “elephants corridor”. It is feared that this resort may lead to the elephants abandoning the route and thereby their visibility and attraction to Livingstone, which is Zambia’s tourism capital.

But ZEMA Corporate Affairs Manager Irene Lungu-Chipili told ZBT in an exclusive interview on July 9, 2020, that an assessment was conducted, the relevant reviews done and approved subject to NAPSA’s sufficient mitigation measures throughout the project development and subsequent operations of the hotel and resort.

She said a public hearing was also conducted within the area and ZEMA will continue to check on compliance levels on the environment and that the developer has demonstrated mitigation measures to allow the natural environment to continue amidst the operations of the hotel and resort.

“ZEMA’s role throughout this process is to check out how the project will run and ensure that NAPSA is adhering and is complaint to all the environmental concerns and mitigating measures agreed as part of the approval process. The environmental screening of the project has been done by ZEMA and the project was approved by ZEMA as well, which means that necessary consultations including getting input from national game park experts and the communities around was included,” She added.

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The Zambia Environmental Management Authority – ZEMA

Lifestyle

The failure by the ministry of lands to deliver on pledges, pronouncements and targets set for the National Land Titling Program – NLTP continue to haunt government. In the 2018 national budget, government announced a target of issuing 300,000 title deeds, a target which has still not been met to date.

As if to add salt to injury, Lands minister Jean Kapata on 5 July 2020 announced on national television that her ministry would deliver 5 million titles in one year, between July 2020 and July 2021. She informed the nation that the will soon announce the engagement of a private company to facilitate the process and that her ministry has equipment that can print thousands of title deed in a matter of hours.

However when the Zambian Business Times – ZBT contacted the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Ndashe Yumba, it was disclosed that the ministry is still at the negotiations stage with a private partner organization that would be engaged to facilitate the delivery 5 million title deeds in one year.

Yumba told the ZBT in an exclusive interview on July 9, 2020, that negotiations on identifying a possible partner are ongoing and that the capacity to roll out this programme will soon be communicated.

“We are still in negotiations and when you are on a negotiation table you don’t discuss anything otherwise one will be preempting the procurement process, therefore when the issue is discharged you will be informed,” He said without giving away any timelines.

And in a separate and related exclusive interview, Zambia Land Alliance Executive Director Patrick Musole has raised concerns over the delayed process of validating the land policy despite having made their submissions.

Musole said the ministry circulated a draft which needed to be reviewed and validated by stakeholders but that there has been silence from government since submissions where made in May this year, hence the Alliance was hoping that the issue will soon be attended to.

He disclosed that in the submissions made by the alliance, it has advocated for customary land certificate to be retained for the interest of security of tenure under customary land which is insecure and continues to lead to indigenes displacements.

He added that the alliance has also made a submission to strengthen women land rights to ensure women are given land in their own names as opposed to the previous way of having land in the names of their husbands and other family members.

One of the key ways to secure land in Zambia is through the amendment and updating of the lands act, the process that continues to be delayed. But the worry by concerned citizens is that even as the amendments continue to be derailed, land is being given away to foreign entities and individuals while citizens continue to be displaced especially in rural areas.

Land titling has key economic benefits for the country and its citizens as it would release value for landowners to use as collateral to source for funding from lenders. For the government, any sell of titled land attracts property transfer tax – PPT revenue and well as provide a base for effective collection of land and property rates for local authorities.

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The failure by the ministry of lands

Agribusiness

Roland Imperial Tobacco Company – RITCO is set to add depth to Zambia’s tobacco industry and become the first Zambian company to set up a Cutrag processing plant.

The cutrag processing plant is part of its combined investment being put into its new end to end ciggerate manufacturing plant located in the Lusaka South Multi facility economic Zone – LS-MFEZ at a total cost of US$50 million,

Currently, locally produced and semi processed tobacco is first exported to Zimbabwe to undergo the blending process which requires a cutrag processing plant and then re-imported back into Zambia before it can finally be processed into cigerate sticks ready for the market.

RITCO was set up with the purpose of manufacturing, trading and selling cigarettes and other tobacco related products. The company runs an existing cigarette manufacturing plant in Lusaka’s Makeni area which was established in 2013 at a cost of about US$8 million. The company had further invested US$30 million for the expansion of this existing plant.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, RITCO General Manager Alipot Ngoma told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that the company is at present able to offer two blends or two varieties of cigarettes and has a market share of about 30% to 40%, while other players share the remaining percentages.

He disclosed that RITCO has the capacity to produce 7 billion sticks per annum while other companies can only go up to 2 billion sticks, an indication that it has the biggest investment and manufacturing capacity on the Zambian market.

Ngoma however stated that the company has recently cut down its production by about 15% due to the depreciation of the Zambian currency which generally dampens demand and competition from other players on the market.

When asked what the major challenges are for the tobacco industry, Ngoma told ZBT that the limited buyers on the market continues to be a challenge affecting profitability and marketing options for tobacco farmers and local manufactures.

He further pointed out the the other major challenge is that about 30% of the Zambian market is being taken by illicit and smuggled tobacco products, which are not taxed and lead to loss of revenue by tax authorities and government.

“Zambia is not major tobacco smoking country and this coupled with limited local buyers on the market especially that our products are only being sold on the local market makes some of the key challenges we encounter”.

“Aside this, the market has been overtaken by illicit imported tobacco products. We are therefore appealing to the government to consider banning the importation of inferior cigarettes or provide the local manufacturers with incentives to promote local production and enhance participation from the private sector,” He said.

He added that there is also need to encourage investment in tobacco processing and invest in tobacco growers saying the country needs to focus and invest in other cash crops like tobacco and cotton to avoid the having too much dependence on our traditional Copper.

The company also told ZBT that it is exploring other foreign markets and plans to start exporting tobacco to both the regional and international market. The company has already engaged some distributors in South Africa and is looking forward to start exporting value added tobacco products.

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Roland Imperial Tobacco Company - RITCO is