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Center for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has urged government to establish an effective tracking and tracing system for easy monitoring and investigations of illicit trade of Tobacco, as over 400 million cigarettes enter the country illegally.

During the policy launch and briefing on the Illicit Tobacco Trade Study and Tobacco Taxation Study held on March 11, 2020, attended by Zambian Business Times-ZBT, CTPD acting executive director Moscane Hampongo said the two briefs are particularly significant in view of the fact that Tobacco in Zambia kills over 7,000 people annually.

He added that consuming of Tobacco in Zambia is a serious problem as the youths and adolescents are increasingly engaging in its consumption, as more than 400 million cigarettes a year enter the market illicitly.

“According to the Tobacco Institute of Southern Africa (2016), in Zambia, more than 400 million cigarettes a year enter the market illicitly smuggled, counterfeited or tax evaded which accounts for 30 percent of the product on the market”, said Hampongo.

He said it is unfortunate to note that Zambia is currently among the countries with the highest rates of illicit Tobacco Trade in Southern Africa and the cost of the Tobacco related illness on the public health system is in excess of K2 billion.

Hampongo further explained that estimates indicate that illegal quantities of cigarettes in Zambia are costing the country and revenue authorities over k50 million revenue losses each annually.

Speaking at the same event, CTPD senior researcher Bright Chizonde, revealed that in 2010, Zambia was ranked as the 5th Largest African exporter of Tobacco, with an annual export value of over US$110 million which accounts for only 0.9% of Gross Domestic Product compared to 3% of GDP for Malawi.

Chizonde however, said the Tobacco Industry in Zambia contends that the most notable contribution of Tobacco to the economy is it’s contributions in terms of employment.

“The tobacco industry claims direct employment in the sub-sector is about 450,000 people, and that the majority of which are in the rural areas. During the period 2013 to 2018, the Zambian government collected K904 million (about US$60 million)”.

Illegal entry of Tobacco and cigerattes deprived and constricts the market for local producers. Zambia now has local cigarette manufacturing facilities at the Lusaka South Multi facility economic zone.

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Center for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD)

Tech

National Action for Quality Education in Zambia-NAQUEZ, has expressed disappointment that the Ministry of General Education (MoGE) has abandoned more than 2000 teachers it promised to sponsor for training at DMI St. Eugene University.

In a statement to Zambian Business Times- ZBT, on March 11, 2020, NAQUEZ executive director Aaron Chansa, reveals that in 2014, the Ministry of General Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DMI St. Eugene University for teacher training. He said this understanding was to the effect that the University was to train more than 2000 government teachers in Mathematics and Sciences.

‘‘The training was to be fast tracked in order for the government to mitigate the acute shortages of Maths and Science teachers the country. The degree program was to take three (3) years and all the fees were to be settled by the Ministry itself,’’ said Mr Chansa.

He said shockingly, the Ministry stopped paying fees on behalf of the teachers just after the second semester, but DMI St. Eugene University continued to provide the service until the teachers completed the scheduled training in 2017, and no one has graduated from the 2000 educators because the University has withheld their certificates.

Chansa has since called on the MoGE to explain why it abandoned the said students. He said the ministry should also explain why a lot of deserving teachers have stopped receiving responsibility allowances saying if the situation will not be remedied quickly, it has great potential to further disorient thousands of teachers in the country.

‘‘It is difficult to believe that the whole of Ministry of General Education would craft an MoU, round up 2000 teachers from the ten provinces but abandon them along the way. This is because we honestly expect the Ministry to be in the forefront of motivating teachers in the country,’’ added Mr Chansa.

By press time, ZBT had not managed to get a formal response from the Ministry of General education.

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National Action for Quality Education in Zambia-NAQUEZ,

Companies

The Zambia Revenue Authority – ZRA has warned the public against paying money to fake agents posing as agents for Senior Government officials or the Commissioner General to facilitate some tax settlement with the Authority.

ZRA Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda says no member of the public should pay money to anyone in the name of the Commissioner General, or any senior government official.

This come to light after receiving several complaints that there have been people that are swindling unsuspecting members of the public that they have been sent by Senior Government officials or the Commissioner General to facilitate some tax settlement with the ZRA.

In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT by ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda, the commissioner has reminded all taxpayers that any tax owed to the Authority should be paid directly to ZRA using online platforms, the Banks or directly at the ZRA cash office.

“If anyone is found impersonating me or claiming to be an agent from the Authority or any senior government official, once found, they will be prosecuted. Am also urging members of the public to report such people to the Authority or the security wings,” he said.

He has further encouraged all members of the public who are importing or paying taxes to ensure that they do not make any payments to agents whom they do not have official commercial contracts with.

All importers especially those importing vehicles and other materials should always ensure that they get assessments from their agents and all payments to be done directly to the Zambia Revenue Authority.

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The Zambia Revenue Authority – ZRA has

Companies

Lafarge Zambia has handed over the Musamba bus stop worth over ZMW 150,000 to Chilanga District Council.

The idea to build a bus stop and shelter was realized after Lafarge conducted a road safety audit which revealed that there was a need for a bus stop at Musamba junction, as having no bus stop posed a risk to the general public and school children.

Speaking at the handover ceremony on March 11 2020 in Chilanga, the Chilanga Plant Manager James Kirkpatrick said Health and Safety is Lafarge Zambia’s core value hence when ever the company does, be it plant operations, on the road and in the community, it considers health and safety first.

“The bus stop will help the flow of traffic for Musamba and Kafue road users, as well as allow buses to safely stop at the bus stop, unlike before, where the drivers had to stop their vehicles on the side of the road, which was unsafe”, He said.

Kirkpatrick further said the bus stop was fully funded by Lafarge at a cost of one hundred and fifty-five thousand Kwacha 155,000 and constructed by a local contractor Hanex Engineerin adding that the bus shelter consists of a concrete lay by, curb stones, shelter and branding.

Meanwhile, when asked how the company broke down it’s cost on the project, Lafarge Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager Sarah Banda told ZBT in response to a press query that the Musamba bus shelter in Chilanga was supported by 40 square metres of concrete road (lay by), 60 curbing stones, a shelter installed with a bench, branding, as well as marked roads in line with the Road Development Agency – RDA standards.

In addition the Company has had the works inspected by RDA and Chilanga district council to meet all the health and safety standards for a bus stop.

And receiving the bus stop on behalf of the Chilanga District Council, the Chilanga District Commissioner Edith Muwana said she was happy with the strong commitment that Lafarge Zambia continues to create in the community through sharing best practices not only with employees but with the many stakeholders that the company interfaces with such as Government.

“I am reliably informed that last year, you recorded Zero incidents on the road and in your Plants. This is commendable! Health and Safety remains the Government’s top agenda item, as every month, around 130 people die on our roads. This bus stop will help reduce the pedestrians and motor vehicle conflict which has been happening at Musamba all along,” She said.

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Lafarge Zambia has handed over the Musamba

Agribusiness

The Brazilian government has announced that they have awarded 30 Agri-business scholarships to Zambian students.Prior to commencement of studies in Brazil in February 2021, successful Zambian students are expected to undertake a Portuguese course, which is the official language, in the course of this year.

In a statement made available to Zambian Business Times-ZBT, by Grace Makowane, First Secretary (Press and Public Relations) Zambian Embassy, Brazil, Chief of Education Division in the Brazilian government, Ms Beatriz Augusta, told Zambia’s Ambassador to Brazil, Dr Alfreda Kansembe -Mwamba that with the 30 scholarships offered to Zambian students, a meritorious universal selection process is required to pick deserving candidates.

Augusta was speaking in Brazil at the Ministry of Education, during the meeting held with the Zambian envoy. She said the students who meet the criteria will be required to undergo free Portuguese lessons before travelling to Brazil for 5 weeks.

The Brazilian government expects Zambia to provide a learning facility in Lusaka where the deserving students will have to undertake a course in Portuguese language. And Ambassador Kansembe- Mwamba has thanked Brazil for awarding the 30 Agri-business scholarships to Zambia.

“We are so delighted that Brazil has offered scholarships in a field of study to Zambian students in Agriculture, which is expected to be one of the key drivers of the economy of Zambia”, she said.

She pledged to work hand-in-hand with the Higher Education Ministry in Lusaka to ensure a transparent and meritorious selection process is employed so that only the best and deserving students are selected and sent to Brazil.

Dr. Kansembe Mwamba said the students will study at the University of Centro Patos de Minas (UNIPAM) which is accredited to the Daniel Franco Institute (IDF).

In November last year, the Zambian government signed a Protocol on livestock and Agri business with Brazil through the IDF for Zambian students to acquire advanced courses in Agribusiness and livestock.

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The Brazilian government has announced that they

Mining

ZCCM Investment Holdings has targeted to buy 40 tonnes of gold from both primary and secondary sources following its pronouncement to start buying gold from artisanal and small-scale gold miners across the country.

This initiative if well managed and expanded will go a long way in injecting cash back into the local economy and effectively contribute to wealth creation for local, small scale and artisanal miners. This effectively provides an additional source of liquidity for the local economy and a direct way to remit back export proceeds from eventual gold sales.

In an advisement circulated on March 6, 2019, ZCCM–IH announced that it is providing an open market and competitive prices for the gold sellers in a bid to formalize the small scale and artisanal gold mining in Zambia.

The state owned mining investments firm has since set aside a budget of US$ 23 million for this exercise for the year 2020 and have started purchasing gold in Rufunsa and intends to include Vubwi, Mumbwa and Luano in the coming days and months.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka on March 11, 2020, attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT ZCCM-IH Chief Executive Officer Mabvuto Chipata said ZCCM-IH, Ministry of Mine and Ministry of Home Affairs personnel were deployed to eight gold mining and panning sites across the country to undertake a scoping exercise.

He added that the Company’s move to start buying gold has been received favourably by artisanal miners and it is offering a competitive price starting from K550 per gram but that depending on the purity, using thorough technical assaying methods, the price may be high.

“Compared to prices found on the informal market ranging from K350 to K500, the price range we are offering compares favourably to this, but also to market prices as well, once the purity or gold content is determined,” He said.

Mabvuto further said in order to harness artisanal and small scale gold mining activity across the country, ZCCM – IH is working closely with the Ministry of Mines to implement measures that will help mop up the gold from these gold mining sites with the objective of curbing the smuggling of gold out of the country.

And responding to a question from ZBT as to whether the buying of gold is linked to the gold reserves that the Bank of Zambia intends stockpile as a way of diversifying from the risk of only relying on holding of the US dollar reserves, Mabvuto said the firm will in future begin to supply BOZ, but as at now it is currently focusing on purchasing gold of about 40 tonnes from artisanal miners.

He has since encouraged individuals with gold to sell their gold to ZCCM-IH adding that it will guide such individuals on how they can regularize their activities so that they are complaint with the relevant regulations.

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ZCCM Investment Holdings has targeted to buy

Mining

The Karma Mining Services and Rural Development – KMSRD joint venture – JV with ZCCM Investment Holdings to form a gold company “Consolidated Gold Company of Zambia – CGCZ Ltd” for the purpose of developing a gold processing operation in Zambia will take off by end of March 2020.

The company in which ZCCM-IH have a shareholding of 45% and 55% for KMSRD respectively has invested about US$ 3.5 million into a laboratory which has been set to determine the gold content accurately in the ore that will be received from various miners for them to get a fair share and value for their material.

Addressing the media in Lusaka on March 11, 2020, attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, KMSRD Chief Executive Officer – CEO for the gold mining company – CGCZ Faisal Keer disclosed that about $250,000 has been invested in setting up a lab that will be able to process about 30 samples per day.

This partnership comes after ZCCM-IH announced its initiative to start buying gold from artisanal and small scale miners across the country as one of the steps towards formalization of gold mining and trading activities in Zambia.

Faisal said the lab will also enable the general public have their samples tested adding that the gold company has also procured ten gold mining mini- processing plants to be set-up in Rufunsa and other gold mining areas. The company has also procured some earth moving equipment.

He added that the gold mining processing plants have a capacity of processing 30 tonnes if gold per day and will be operational by first week of April, stating that out of the target from the gold mining plant is to produce 300 grams of gold per day, that translates into approximately 7.5 kgs per month.

“Once we have received the mineral processing license which is in the process and most likely to be out by end of this month, we will then proceed to setting up the Gold leaching plant in Rufunsa aimed at chemically processing the gold stock piles with a capacity of processing about 8,000 tonnes” he said.

At the same event, ZCCM-IH Chief Executive Officer Mabvuto Chipata said the company’s partnership with Karma Mining Services and Rural Development will go a long way as it has over 20 years of experience in gold processing and has developed several gold processing, production and trading operations.

He added that this investment is in line with ZCCM-IH’s strategic objective in mining chain value creation which is to diversify the company’s investments away from copper linked investments to other minerals such as gold and other precious metals.

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The Karma Mining Services and Rural Development

Mining

Zambia’s mining investment firm ZCCM Investment Holdings has announced that it has started buying gold from artisanal and small-scale miners across the country in what is seen as a follow up move to formalize gold mining and trading that has been happening in some parts of the country.

In an advisement circulated on March 6, 2019, ZCCM – IH is providing an open market and competitive prices for the gold hence gold sellers across the country are encouraged to take their gold to the firm for sale, but no further details have been availed.

ZCCM-IH had last year in December announced that it would set up centers for buying gold in strategic areas with deposits as a first step towards bringing artisanal and small-scale miners into the formal market.

When the Zambian Business Times – ZBT reached out to the mining investment firm, its Public Relations Manager Loisa Kakoma stated that the company is planning to hold a press briefing on the matter during this week where they will share more details on how the whole operation will be carried out.

ZCCM-IH buying of gold has also been linked to the central bank (Bank of Zambia – BOZ) which had in December 2019 announced that it is in the process of resuming the buying of gold to serve as an alternative to forex reserves.

The Bank governor Dr. Denny Kalyalya told ZBT in an exclusive interview back then that the move is a way of diversifying from the risk of only relying on holding of the US dollar reserves which is currently the main forex reserve held.

The BOZ governor however did not disclose the target value of gold reserves to bought and stock piled in 2020 stating that discussions with suppliers and modalities are still underway.

According to a research done by ZBT, gold reserves would complement the current US dollar held reserves which are now mostly generated from minerals royalties levied on copper exports. Gold reserves would become more efficient to stock pile as they would be bought using local currency with the country leveraging the current mining at existing large scale copper and gold mines at Kansanshi and Lumwana.

Other areas reported to have notable gold deposits are Mwinilunga in the North Western Province, Mumbwa and Luano in Central province, Rufunsa and Luangwa in Lusaka province and Petauke in the Eastern Province.

Government has indicated that Zambia aims to produce 40,000kg of gold in 2020 alone from primary and secondary sources including artisanal and small-scale miners.

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Zambia’s mining investment firm ZCCM Investment Holdings

Lifestyle

Police have confirmed that a total of 11 police stations whose reconstruction cost is estimated to be about K5.5 million (about K500,000 per police station) has been wasted and will eventually be borne by the very community members, a major economic setback for the country.

This follows the recent incidents of chemical attacks on Zambian citizens by what has now been described as organized criminal activities, which resulted in the public excising mob justice, which resulted in some police stations on the copperbelt, Lusaka and other provinces, to be burnt down, an act that has also been suspected to have been pre-meditated and planned.

In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, on March, 10th 2020, Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo, said though it is difficult to give an exact estimate the total cost of rebuilding the damaged posts because the police posts destroyed are in different sizes, she however bemoaned the fact that most of the police stations that were gutted are community based and built, meaning that they were built by the contributions from members of the community themselves.

Looking at the recent commissioned police post named after the first lady Esther Lungu Police Post in Kitwe, which was reported to have been constructed at an average cost of about K500,000 (five hundred thousand kwacha). This gives an estimated total cost of reconstructing the 11 gutted police posts countrywide at K5.5 million.

“So, community members need to be made aware that they are burning what is theirs, because most of the community police posts are built by the community members contributions and donations. As police we have the project and maintenance unit, which looks into the construction and rehabilitation of the police posts, but because these police posts are community based, it will ideally the community themselves to rebuild them through the local community leadership. So us as Police will work with the community leaders to rebuild them, once they are done with the re-construction, then we go to inspect and redeploy our officers”, said Katongo.

She cited the incident at Mwembeshi, where the residents damaged the police post, which is upto now, not yet rebuilt, saying it will take the residents and their local leaders to rebuild it because it was a community based police post. Katongo said the government can only move in through the constituency Development Funds (CDF).

‘‘Us, when such a thing happens we just remove our officers from there, then allow members of the public to put resources together and rebuild, not the police or government to rebuild. Maybe government can come in when it comes to CDF money, but for us as police once you damage the police post, we just pull out and wait for you as community to rebuild.

The Police Spokesperson further said, that it’s upto the community to build a police post to the standards required by the police, failure to which, the police does not take their officers to the station. She called on the community to guard their properties jealously because it’s their resources used in the construction of the police posts which are then a shared responsibility.

The mostly affected provinces for burnt down police posts include the Copperbelt, Lusaka and North Western. A check by ZBT on the recently gutted police post in Lusaka’s Kanyama township show that the community have started rebuilding the police post. This Police post was damaged by the mob after the confusion that resulted from chemical and gass attacks.

As of now, investigations are still ongoing, arrests have been made with calls for finding the masterminds growing. But with delays in announcing progress made, members of the public are now concerned that the truth behind these chemical attacks will never be known and risks to die a natural death.

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Police have confirmed that a total of

Tech

Technology has been seen to continue improving the lives of people in many spheres because with enhanced communication, there is an increase in productivity as information is accessed almost instantly thus breaking time and location barriers. The young people have been seen to be at helm of ICT Innovation.

To this reason, Airtel Zambia Managing Director, Apoorva Mehrotra said Airtel is committed to empowering the youth of today and helping contribute to national development. He said employment, skills development and entrepreneurship will continue to be key to Airtel’s growth agenda.

Mehrotra was speaking during the Official opening of the 2020 ICT Business Forum organized by the Zambia Information Technology Authority (ZICTA), on March 4th 2020 attended by Zambian Business Times-ZBT in Lusaka.

“It is our great privilege for Airtel to be part of this conference which has the theme, Fast Tracking Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Zambia. Our sponsorship of this young innovators forum is testimony of Airtel’s commitment in partnering with ZICTA in addressing the gaps in the ICT sector,’’ said the Airtel Managing Director – MD.

Mehrotra applauded government for beginning to undertake policy, legal and institutional reforms to facilitate universal access to ICT and promote the use of ICT in business (e-commerce); networking of services and applications across the public sector.

Meanwhile, Director of Communications in the ministry of Transport and Communications, Yese Bwalya was at hand to officiate the event and said that the ministry will collaborate with ZICTA and various cooperating partners in launching the child online protection strategy to protect the youth from inappropriate and offensive content, making the cyberspace safer.

He expressed concern over the rise in cybercrimes such as internet fraud, cyber bullying, identify theft, spreading of false information and hacking being perpetuated by some unscrupulous people through use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

‘‘It is government’s desire to see people (Professional and ordinary), guarding against these vices and exhibit a high level of discipline, ethical conduct and proper use of the knowledge they possess in using ICT platforms,’’ said Bwalya.

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Technology has been seen to continue improving