ZB starts local production of alcohol based hand sanitizers

Zambian Breweries – ZB, majority owned by world’s largest brewer AB InBev, has started local production of alcohol based hand sanitisers to help curb the spread of COVID-19. This follows the approval from the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority – ZAMRA and has since called for partnership in the production of hand sanitizers.

The brewing company had last week announced it’s plans to start production of alcohol based hand-sanitizers amidst COVID – 19 and that it was only awaiting approval from ZAMRA. ZB had told then told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that it had engaged its experts to initiate the production of alcohol based hand sanitizers.

The company has now donated 5,000 440ml bottles of ZB branded hand sanitisers to the Ministry of Health in Lusaka. ZB joins Trade Kings and Zhongkai in manufacturing and packaging hand sanitizers locally.

ZB country Director Jose Moran has since thanked ZAMRA for the certification saying the company has managed to produce hand sanitizers for the very first time in it’s labs.

In a statement availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT by ZB Public Relations Consultant Gillian Langmead, Moran noted that production of hand sanitisers followed high demand of the commodity on the market and reduced alcohol production at the company in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As you know, we produce beer – the brands that you like – but this time that we have reduced our production, we are using our equipment and our people to make hand sanitisers,” He said.ZB had told ZBT that it had cut beer production by 50% after the closure of bars and night clubs across the country as a measure to stop the spread of covid 19.

“I am also looking for partners that will help us to cover the costs, so that we can do this at a bigger scale as a good partnership would help reduce the prices of hand sanitisers on the Zambian market, Moran said.

And in receiving the branded hand sanitisers on behalf of government, Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya hailed Zambian Breweries for supplementing government efforts in combating COVID-19.

“We want to thank you so much for your positive corporate social responsibility program. The donation towards hand washing and improved sanitation will curb the spread of the infection in the communities and among health workers,” Dr. Chilufya said.

The local production of Alcohol based hand sanitizers by ZB is a welcome initiative that enables the country to used locally sourced materials and expertise thereby reducing the need for importing.

ZB is doing a good job as they set up a malting plant in the Lusaka South multi facility economic zone, have engaged local farmers to grow barley in Zambia and now providing an import substituting hand sanitizers. These moves ensure that forex bleeding is lessened in Zambia and this would help stem the perpetual Kwacha depreciation which is perhaps the biggest economic travesty in Zambia.

Zambian Breweries - ZB, majority owned by

Only 41 drilling companies renew licenses

The Water Resources Management Authority – WARMA has renewed forty-one (41) licenses of the registered drilling companies as of April 2020. This is in contrast to 2019 were over 100 drilling companies had been registered.

In view of the above, the Authority is calling on members of the public to verify with WARMA before engaging any drilling firm for borehole drilling services, to ensure that only fully licensed companies are engaged.

WARMA has the mandate to effectively manage Zambia’s water resources, be it surface water or groundwater and not only in terms of quantity but quality as well.

According to a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT by WARMA Public Relations Officer Joshua Kapila, the Authority has resorted to caution members of the public on the matter due to several complaints that WARMA has been receiving based on the substandard works that part of citizenry has been receiving from suspected unregistered and unlicensed drillers.

He said the general public will avoid wasting their financial resources through shoddy or substandard services, and simultaneously be protected by the Authority against such vices. If one uses a registered and licensed company for drilling, they have a regulator who they can report to were the service received is sub-standard quality.

WARMA is further warning all unlicensed drilling companies for the 2020 season, that it is a punishable offence under the Statutory Instrument (SI) 19 of 2018, to conduct drilling works without obtaining a license from the Authority, hence calling on such drilling firms to adhere to the regulations contained in the SI 19 of 2018 by renewing their licenses or register their firms with WARMA.

Furthermore, the Authority is calling on the general public to avoid polluting water by adhering to the guidelines as stipulated by the Ministry of Health in the wake of the Corona virus (Covid-19) pandemic saying the importance of clean water in curbing the pandemic cannot be over emphasized due to the life-saving nature the commodity has in preserving human lives and prevention of mass devastating diseases such the Corona Virus (washing of hands & hygiene), Cholera, Dysentery among other pandemics.

The Water Resources Management Authority - WARMA

Zesco losses over K1.7 million in first quarter of 2020

State owned power utulity company ZESCO Limited has recorded a total of 261 cases of vandalism in the first quarter of 2020 which has cost the giant power company about worth K1,657,267 (about US$95,000).

ZESCO Head of Public Relations Hazel Zulu stated in a report issued on April 28, 2020 and made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that the most vandalised items were Transmission towers, transformers and copper cables (overhead service and underground cables).

She said the highest number of incidences were recorded on the Copperbelt, Southern, North-Western and Lusaka provinces.

The corporation is however saddened by this development saying it is detrimental to the development of the energy sector and the country at large considering that electrical equipment involves huge amounts of money and investments and any acts of vandalism is retrogressive and takes the corporation and the country backwards.

ZESCO is sending a stern warning to perpetrators of such vices saying the company will not relent in ensuring that the culprits are arrested and brought to book.

“It is also important to note that ZESCO recorded a total of 47 arrests in the period under review. In addition, the corporation successfully secured 12 convictions while 41 cases are still active in the Courts of Law” She said.

She added that the Corporation remains committed to ensuring that it ‘makes it easy for people to live a better life’ as it continues to work vigorously to bring these vile acts to a halt.

“Our call to the public is to join the fight against vandalism and report any such acts to the police service to ensure that the institution continues to provide sufficient and quality electricity to all its citizens,” She said.

Zesco has scaled up its retail and domestic customers connections drive and last year cross the 1 million customers mark.

State owned power utulity company ZESCO Limited

More COVID -19 relief measures targeted at SMEs needed – Prof Saasa

Prominent economist professor Oliver Saasa has called for the spelling out of clear cut measures and relief packages targeted at local and small and medium size enterprises which make up more than 80% of economic activities and is the largest employer in Zambia.

In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Prof Saasa said there is need for more proactive measures for the business sector which has been the most challenged and posing risks to the country’s economy.

He said Zambians are hoping to hear more on how the businesses and local industry will survive amidst COVID – 19 outbreak therefore the multisectoral approach should be applied.

“We expect to hear more and precise information regarding the country’s largest economic sectors because the majority in the industry are small and local businesses which account for more than 80% of our economic activities, and it accommodates a large number of Zambians including poor people therefore the need to actively pay attention to it,” He added.

President Edgar Lungu in his third covid 19 address to the nation announced that Barbershops and Salons will continue to operate with strict adherance and observing social distancing and regular hand washing adding that failure to adhere to the public health regulations, guidelines and certification, will attract penalties including revoking of licences at any given time.

President Lungu’s third national address on the country’s COVID – 19 situation has received mixed reactions from various stakeholders stating that the speech did not clearly highlight additional measures towards the country’s key economic areas such as the local and SME sector despite an increase in COVID – 19 positive cases.

Speaking when he addressed the national on April 24, 2020 on COVID-19 monitored by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, the president disclosed that the country has recorded 8 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours bringing the cumulative number of cases in Zambia to 84.

Meanwhile, the country still remains at a death toll of three with 44 patients remaining under isolation among which 15 are health workers while 37 have recovered from COVID- 19.

The president had on April 23, 2020 announced his intentions to address the nation on consideration of re-opening key economic areas that were closed amid COVID- 19 to ensure certain activities continue with provided health guidelines.

However, in his address, the president announced the re-opening of worship places while observing social distancing, mandatory face masks and hand washing guidelines adding that Sporting activities such as golf and tennis, which do not involve physical contact between players can begin to be played but bars in those premises will remain closed.

Prominent economist professor Oliver Saasa has called

Zanaco offers loan repayment holidays & refinancing to clients

Following the economic impact that COVID – 19 pandemic has had and continued to have on individuals and Zambian businesses, the Zambia National Commercial Bank – Zanaco has announced it’s financial relief packages available to it’s customers impacted by the pandemic.

The Bank has indicated that the relief will be available to it’s Personal, Business Banking and Corporate customers who have existing loan facilities with the bank.

ZANACO acting Chief Executive Officer Lishala Situmbeko has explained to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that following extensive engagement with various customers and other stakeholders, the bank’s relief options will include the extension of loan tenures, refinancing of loans and loan repayment holidays adding that the relief will be provided in line with the banks credit parameters and customer needs.

He said the Bank seeks to ensure that it’s customer’s cash flows are cushioned in the medium term saying ZANACO’s support will not end at financial relief but will include business coaching and investment guidance.

Situmbeko added that the bank further recognizes the need to support it’s customers at a time that the country is fighting the deadly Coronavirus which has become a world pandemic.

“We would like to assure our customers that they are not alone on this journey. Our doors are open and we are ready to assist them through these uncertain times and beyond the COVID – 19 pandemic. Zambia is our home and our focus has always been to ensure the country’s growth and development. The only way we can do this is by making sure our customer’s growth is not halted and providing this relief is one way of doing it”, He said.

Following the economic impact that COVID -