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Lifestyle

The National Biosafety Authority – NBA has granted four companies new permits to import products that may contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

NBA Chairperson Dr. Paul Zambezi explained that the permits have been granted to Gatbro Distributors, Pick n Pay, Southern National Import and Export Limited and Choppies Super Stores market.

Dr. Zambezi stated that following a Board decision at the just ended Board meeting held on 5th July 2019 in Lusaka. The NBA board has approved the granting of the permits to the four companies.

In May 2019, the Scientific Advisory Committee of the NBA recommended to the Board the issuance of permits after risk assessment was conducted on the products that may contain GMOs and were found to be safe for human consumption.

Among the products which Gatbro intends to import include Bokomo Oates, Pro-Nutro instant porridge, Bokomo Cornflakes, Bisto and Knorr soups, Simba Doritos, Bakers snack time, Cheese and some other white label branded products which may contain GMOs among others.

In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Dr. Zambezi further said products which have been allowed to be on the Zambian market by the authority have been established to be safe for consumers but reiterated that as food safety is important, the authority will not allow any food or feed which is not safe for either human consumption nor for as animal feed to be on the market.

“As the NBA we would like to reiterate that food safety is very important and we cannot allow any food or feed which is not safe for human consumption nor for use as animal feed to be on the market. As such products which have been allowed to be on the Zambian market by the NBA have been established to be safe for consumers by the scientific advisory committee” Dr. Zambezi said.

He added that the authority is currently reviewing other permits applications, which are at various stages of processing. The public will be informed and that all these products are labeled to say that they ‘may contain GMOs’.

Members of the public have expressed concern on the ability of equipment and adequate scientific know how to fully test and track the effects of consumption of imported products which contain GMOs. Others have challenged local manufacturers to produce alternative organic local products so that consumers can make the decision on weather to consume these imported GMO containing products.

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The National Biosafety Authority - NBA has

Companies

The Zambia Federation of Employers – ZFE has raised concerns over the administration costs that will come with the set up of the National Health Insurance Scheme – NHIS saying the projected K100 million per month collections from workers and employers based on 1% gross payroll contributions will come with a huge administrative cost, that will come from the new management team, the recruitment of staff and establishment of new structures throughout the country.

Last week, Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya announced that 1% gross payroll deduction has been agreed and that the National Health Insurance Scheme will begin operating and deduction end of July. This is the basis of the estimation that the scheme will raise K100 million per month from the 700,000 formally employed Zambians.

ZFE acting President Steven Sikombe says the objectives of the scheme as stipulated in the act is to provide for sound financing for a universal health service in the country but that if a huge sum of money is spent in administrative costs means the objective will not be realized.

Addressing the media in Lusaka on June 9th 2019, Sikombe expressed concern as to why the National Insurance Management Authority newly appointed Director General James Kapasa proceeded with the announcements about the commencement of deduction from worker’s gross salaries when Dr Malama, the permeant secretary of the Ministry of Health attended the consultative meeting at which both ZCTU and ZFE made submissions on how the scheme can be managed for the benefit of every Zambian.

He has however accused the Health Minister and the Director General of not respecting social dialogue and simply despise the important role that legally created stakeholder organizations of workers and employer’s play in national policy dialogue.

“Already we have some information that the salary of the Director General of the National Insurance Management Authority is K170 000.00 per month and if this is true, how much will be spent in total on personal emoluments when the full establishment of staff is employed?

In any case how can a health scheme that is meant to benefit members of the public pay a huge salary to its Chief Executive Officer before the scheme even starts operating?,” he questioned.

Sikombe has however suggested that the scheme should have been embedded into the National Pension Scheme Authority – NAPSA which should use its existing structure to collect and manage the funds while the ministry could be responsible for accrediting health center and administration of medical services.

He also called on Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya to open a meaningful dialogue with key stakeholders on the matter, failure to which the National Health Insurance Scheme will fail, as compliance levels are most likely to be low.

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The Zambia Federation of Employers - ZFE

Sport

Zanaco Football Club – Zanaco FC has announced that the bank sponsored side will be adding to its squad, seven new players ahead of the 2019/20 season Zambia Super League to strengthen its squad.

The players who have joined the club are Mwansa Nsofwa, Tiberius Lombard (both from Lusaka Dynamos), Kebson Kamanga, Belchance Makiese (Both from Nkwazi), Emmanuel Okutu from Kabwe Warriors as well as returnees Damiano Kola and former captain Ziyo Tembo.

In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Zanaco Football Club Media and Public Relations Oficer Martha Nshimbi said Tembo has penned a season long contract, while Damiano Kola’s contract runs until 2022 and the rest of the new additions have signed two year contracts. Zanaco FC did not state the total amount spent to buy the new players.

This brings the number of new players who have joined the club for the 2019/20 season to eight, including Lawrence Chungu who was signed earlier this year. Zanaco FC is a top side in Zambia and recognized for its contribution to professionalizing Zambian football.

Sensational Zanaco FC has also hinted that it’s beefing up its technical bench with the addition of two new members to it’s current coaching staff as they bring in another coach and a physical trainer. The club is expected to keep its faith in head coach Numba Mumamba.

The club attracts top players locally and from within the region with its better player packages and well organized administration and club management team. It has now established itself as a credible contender for the league title and has made progress with its supporters looking forward to the team becoming an established contender for African club championships.

The club now has players from Congo DR, Namibia and Ghana, who are expected to contribute to increased depth especially for continental championships and challenge the local players.

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Zanaco Football Club - Zanaco FC has

Mining

Mines Ministry Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda says government has made progress in promoting local participation in the mining sector to empower citizens and increase the country’s economic resilience and competitiveness by diversifying to other mineral resources apart from copper.

Chanda told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that copper is Zambia’s major export earner and that government has also taken recognition of other minerals produced such as cobalt, silver and gold hence the need to closely monitor and promote the wider mining industry.

He said Zambians with the help of government have the capacity to run the mines and that gold mining has been identified in areas like North-Western, Central and Eastern provinces as one area were locals can control the sector if well coordinated and implemented.

Chanda further said that the ministry has backed the formation of cooperatives in local communities to start engaging in gold mining adding that ZCCH-IH has also been involved to provide and support the set up of a gold buying company that will ensure that local miners get better prices for their commodity.

ZCCM – IH would also support through set up of a company that can invest in the right machines and equipment to drive the processing and facilitate exports to further boost this industry. He stated the government is aware of illegal miners and unscrupulous buyers invading gold mining areas saying the illegal miners and traders can only be removed with the help the ministry of home affairs and Ministry of Commerce.

“We are aware of areas where gold is being produced but the problem is people do not have the capacity to operate in the mines hence these areas have been invaded by illegal miners who can only be removed with the help of the ministry of home affairs and we are doing that with other players like the ministry of commerce so that we find a market for this gold being produced in those areas,”

He added that the ministry is also showcasing a community or cooperative mine in Kasempa district of North Western were gold mining has also been recognized but that government has not made much progress due to lack of unity among community members in the area.

“We wanted to support the formation of a community mine in Kasempa were residents come together with their chiefs to partner with someone and we give them a mining license but we have challenges to do that because of dis-unity among the people in the area, however we are still looking at other ways to promote local peoples involvement and development in this area.” he said.

Unlike Copper, gold mining is less capital intensive and this makes this sector a good candidate for local participation and control of the industry. The copper mining industry is more capital intensive and technical expertise needed to fully exploit the ores need much more capital when compared to gold mining.

Finance Minister Margerate Mwanakatwe has indicated that Zambia will include Gold as an alternative and additional form to hold foreign currency reserves for the country. Gold is an internationally approved form to hold national reserves in and if Zambia can create proper value chains around gold mining, processing and exports, the mineral could become a hedge for cyclical international copper prices.

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Mines Ministry Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda says

Tech

Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale has disclosed that government is introducing ICT systems that will enable marketers pay money directly into the council account through a phone (mobile money) or bank card to avoid collection of hard cash by unscrupulous people which ends up depriving the council the much needed revenue

In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Mwale revealed that apart from direct payment of levies through mobile phones and bank cards, the government t has made progress towards the re-construction of city market and finding the possible financier for an initial estimation by a task force team of about US$90 million project.

The reconstructed and expanded city market market will consist of 14,000 trading spaces and will involve demolition of Munyuale market and old City market to create space for the new modern market, adding that designs have already made and engineers are ready to start the works once the financier approves.

He disclosed that delays towards the re-construction of the market are due to financing challenges as the monies contributed after the gutting of the market only amounted to K 1.7 million hence government has been finding possible ways to engage a financier for the project.

He added that the K1.7 million was however contributed to the construction of Simon Mwewa market, a K70 million project which will also benefit victims of City market and those on the streets.

“We know it’s been two years now since city market got gutted and we have been looking for money all these years because this disaster is costing us a lot of money and we had a mining company that offered to build the market but because of the changes in the tax regime involving mining taxes, they withdrew their offer hence we hard to go back to square one and start looking for other financiers, fortunately we have one possible financier who is promising and once we conclude with the engagement, works will definitely start,” he said.

Meanwhile, the minister has warned the council police officers to stop treating vendors in an in-human manner saying there are have been reports that some officers are taking advantage of the situation by grabbing goods from vendors. He said government will find ways of creating a space for vendors and that those found disputing against the guidance given will face the law.

The local government system as it stands today needs tangible reforms in order to be of service to its residents. Most of the revenue collection in Zambia is centralized and the collection of monies by local authorities remains a challenge. Services such as business levies, taxi operations and ground rates which would provide a financial base for the councils remain uncollected due to sensitives and sometimes lack of innovation on the part of council management.

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Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale has disclosed

Lifestyle

Lafarge Zambia in partnership with Home Builder Center DMK Construction and Zambia Home Loans, has Launched a win a Home campaign to celebrate Lafarge Zambia’s 70 years of building dream homes in Zambia with the lucky winner getting a newly built three-bedroom, worth K600,000 situated in Lusaka.

Speaking during the celebration of Lafarge Zambia’s 70 years of existence in Zambia on July 5th 2019, Lafarge Zambia Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Khan pledged the company’s commitment to continue to develop innovative products and services such as the Lafarge Home Builder Centre and Binastore that make the building of people’s dream homes a reality.

He disclosed that Lafarge has come a long way together with Zambia as most of the country’s oldest and most prestigious infrastructure projects such as the Kariba Dam, Katima Mulilo Bridge, Universities, Levy Mwanawasa Hospital and the iconic Findeco building that stands high in the Lusaka skyline is associated with Lafarge cement.

“Today we have formed partnerships with financial and construction institutions at the Lafarge Home Builder Center so that citizens can access mortgage finance as well as professional constructors. We have also launched an innovative solution called Binastore, to support local entrepreneurs take quality building materials closer to the Zambian people”, he said.

Khan also thanked the Zambian people for the support, believe, trust and walking with the company for the past 70 years in building their dream homes.

At the same event, Minister of Local government Vincent Mwale, congratulated Lafarge for the 70 years of service and partnership in infrastructure and development in Zambia and the region.
The minister said the increasing competition with the coming on board of other cement companies should increase the Lafarge Zambia’s creativity in the way of doing business.

He has further assured Government’s commitment to continue providing and enabling environment to ensure that the private sector thrives in innovation and generally in doing business in Zambia and provide the necessary services to support the business community.

“Lafarge formerly known as Chilanga cement still remains the biggest supplier of cement to most construction firms engaged in Zambian projects like the construction of roads, dams and bridges. I would like to congratulate Lafarge Zambia for the 70 years of service and partnership in infrastructure and development in Zambia and the region”, he said.

To participate in a win a home promotion, a customer will be required to buy 10 bags of cement at K600 worth of building materials a nearest Binastore and receives a scratch card. The customer then scratches the card revealing the unique code. He/she then SMS’s Mphamvu, a unique code and full names to 2626 to enter into the grand draw.

The promotion will run for 3 months, from July 18, to September 30, 2019. The Win a Home promotion is managed by an independent company, Intarget, and the results will be audited and verified by independent auditors, Deloitte.

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Lafarge Zambia in partnership with Home Builder

Mining

The AfroChampions Initiative has announced the launch of a financial capability programme in honour of former Zambian President and African liberation struggle icon, Dr Kenneth Kaunda. This is contained in a media release availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT from The Campaign for Financial Independence in Africa (CampaignFIA).

The Campaign for Financial Independence in Africa (CampaignFIA) plans to work with governments, development agencies and financial institutions to progressively roll out the programme into the basic education curricula of all 54 African countries.

President Kaunda’s son Tilyenji Kaunda endorsed the Campaign saying ‘‘As a family we are proud to be associated with the CampaignFIA, which is an African solution to an African problem. President Kaunda is deeply moved that he has been asked to lead the continent in what is undoubtedly the defining issue of this generation, the fight for economic independence and equality in Africa. For while the continent has almost wholly achieved political freedom, financial freedom remains an elusive dream for most Africans.’

AfroChampions Executive Committee Chairman and Interim Chairman of the Board of Advisers for the Campaign, Dr Edem Adzogenu said, ‘We must honour our African heroes while they are still alive and there is no one better that President Kaunda to provide leadership for the struggle for economic independence. The Campaign is a fitting swansong to President Kaunda’s long history of selfless service to the continent.’

African Union Youth Envoy Aya Chebbi is an Ambassador for the Campaign and serves on its Advisory Board.

As partners, the CampaignFIA will be collaborating with the African Union, the African Development Bank Group and the Afreximbank.

AfroChampions is a public-private partnership co-chaired by former South African President H.E. Thabo Mbeki and Mr. Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Group, under the patronage of H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of the Republic of Nigeria.

Dr. Kaunda, the former president of Zambia dedicated his presidency to not only the political independence of Zambia, but also facilitated the political and economic independence of neighbouring countries in mostly Southern Africa.

For economic independence, his government launched one of the most ambitious projects of local control of key strategic national economic assets as well as went on to set up import substitution local industries most of which are currently being re-awakened after the failure of the promise of the privatization programs which resulted in most economically significant national and strategic assets across Africa being sold to non African corporations and foreign interests.

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The AfroChampions Initiative has announced the launch

Markets

The country has recorded a consecutive five months year on year inflation increment which has mainly been attributed to the increase in the price of different commodities that form part of an essential bucket of goods and services that are monitored month on month.

And the Kwacha depreciation has been sighted as the main contributor to the 5 consecutive months continued raise in the national inflation number, which has breached the target range of 6 to 8% for Zambia. The depreciation of the local unit has a pervasive effect on the economy in that transport costs shoot up as the fuel import bill grows as well as non- food items which are mostly imported such as motor vehicles.

The month of June recorded a 0.5% inflation rate increase triggering the year on year inflation as measured by the all item index (CPI) for the month of June to raise to 8.6% from 8.1% recorded in May 2019. This means that on average, prices of goods and services increased by 8.6% between June 2018 and June 2019.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) Acting Director for Census and Statistics Goodson Siyenga announced during the Trade Fair in Ndola that the increase in the annual food inflation rate was mainly attributed to price movements of food items such as fresh & dried bream fish, buka buka fish, fresh & dried kapenta and cooking oil. The increase in the non-food annual inflation rate was also attributed to price movements of non-food items such as purchase price of motor vehicle.

The annual rate of inflation increased for non-food and Non-alcoholic beverages; Furnishing Household Equipment and Household Maintenance; Health; Transport; Communication; Recreation and culture; Education and Miscellaneous Goods and Services. Transport had the highest increase in inflation from 14.5% in May 2019 to 21.4% in June 2019.

The annual rate of inflation reduced for Clothing and Footwear; Housing water and electricity Gas and other Fuels; and restaurant. Of the total 8.6% annual inflation rate recorded in June 2019, Food and Non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 4.9 percentage points while Non-food items accounted for a total of 3.7 percentage points. Of the 3.7 percentage points, Transport contributed the highest at 1.3 percentage points followed by Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels that contributed 0.8 percentage points.

An analysis of the increase in both food and non-food inflation shows that the depreciation of the Kwacha is one of the major causes of the continue raise in cost of goods and services accross Zambia. The Kwacha depreciation affects the transport sector from increased imported fuel bill which feeds into the cost of final food products distribution cost to markets which is passed on to the final consumer.

For non-food inflation, most of the items in the basket of goods are imported such as furniture, motor vehicles etc which are also directly affected by depreciation of the Kwacha. With Zambia having a limited base for local manufacturing, imported inflation hits Zambia hard whenever the Kwacha depreciates.

Other tangible reasons for the increase in food items prices include the low rainfall patterns in mostly Southern, Western and parts of Lusaka Province which was experienced in the 2018/2019 farming season led to low production affecting the production and supply of Agro foods.

The Bank of Zambia, the central bank whose headline role is financial and monetary systems price stability has not been able to successfully curb the depreciation of the Kwacha as well as maintain a target band trading rate for the Kwacha to say the US dollar pointing to its adoption and practicing of a free market policy regime. The stability of the Kwacha remains the single most biggest economic variable that has been subject to consistent depreciation over the years.

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The country has recorded a consecutive five

Markets

Zambia has continued to record trade surplus month on month with May recording a trade surplus of K501million (about US$40 million). This figure is however a decreased by 17% from a surplus of K603.6 million recorded in April 2019 to K501.1 million in May 2019.

This trade surplus means that the country exported more than it imported in nominal terms. Imports increased by 14.5% from K7,174.4 million in April 2019 to K8,215.4 million in May 2019, this increase is mainly attributed to the raw materials imports which increased by 36.0% in May 2019.

Exports increased by 12.1 percent from K7,778.0 million in April 2019 to K8,716.5 Million in May 2019 and the increase in the value of exports is mainly attributed to the increase in export earnings from intermediate and consumer goods by 10.3 percent and 37.7 percent respectively. Therefore, the net effect of these dynamics in trade was the reduction in the trade surplus.

Meanwhile, the year on year quarterly growth rates at constant 2010 prices shows that the economy grew by 2.6 percent in the first quarter of 2019 compared to 2.7 percent in the first quarter of 2018.

The Wholesale & Retail industry contributed the highest growth to the economy in the first quarter followed by the Information & Communication and Public Administration & Defense Industries with 0.9, 0.8 and 0.6 percentage points respectively.

The industries with the highest growth rates were Information & Communication (30%), Financial & Insurance (12%) and Public Administration & Defense (11%).

The report further showed that Zambia’s Gross Domestic Product – GDP at current prices in the first quarter of 2019 has recorded a growth and was estimated at K 69,648.7 million compared to K 60,741.9 million recorded in the same period of 2018.

A trade surplus is essential to the growth of national reserves which have recently shown a downward trend for US$ held assets by the central bank. Zambia currently practices a free market economy which has minimal to no controls for foreign currency externalization.

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Zambia has continued to record trade surplus

Agribusiness

The Zambia National Farmers Union – ZNFA has disclosed that the resent announced purchase price of white Maize by the Food Reserve Agency – FRA is nowhere near the range recommended range by stakeholders of between K130 – K140 per 50 Kilograms of white Maize based on prevailing market price indications.

ZNFU Public Relations Manager Calvin Kaleyi has told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in a statement that the FRA price of K110 per 50Kg is far below the current maize prices being offered in the main producing areas such as Central and Eastern province.

He said the Union recognizes that the cost of production has increased and continues to escalate while the asset or capital base of farmers has been wiped out by adverse weather patterns which has been prevailing season after season since 2015 and that the price set by FRA is hostile to the farmers.

“ZNFU was invited to a consultative meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture and the announcement by FRA is nowhere near what was suggest by stakeholders in the meeting as the purchased price of white Maize was suggested to be between K130 – K140 and not the K110 that the FRA has set,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Food Reserve Agency – FRA has set the maize purchase price for the 2019 crop-marketing season at k110 for a 50 Kilogram bag and has fixed the price for a 50 Kilogram bag of soya beans at K150 and paddy rice at K70 respectively.

Addressing the media in Lusaka on July 5th 2019, FRA Board Chairperson Jeo Simachela said the Agency in consultation with government and key stakeholders undertook a process of crop price scenario analysis that included a survey of prevailing farm gate and open market prices with key market stakeholders and players in the crop marketing chain under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture.

He added that it is anticipated that FRA prices will not disadvantage the private sector who are expected to purchase the larger share of the projected 2,004,398 metric tonnes produced in the case of the maize crop.

Simachela further disclosed that in commitment to the promotion and development of agriculture, government has released a total amount of K74.4 million for payment to farmers on first come first serve basis and that FRA has disbursed the funds to various districts in readiness for payment to farmers.

He said there is further commitment for government to continue releasing farmer payments funds periodically and promptly to ensure FRA meets its purchase target. The FRA board chairman also announced that FRA only intends to purchase 300,000 metric tonnes of white maize, 4, 000 metric tonnes of soya beans and 1,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice.

According to the maize forecast data obtained by ZBT released by the ministry of Agriculture, 95% of Zambia’s maize is grown by small scale farmers while commercial farmers only contribute the remaining 5%. This scenario has emerged due to the heavy control of maize market prices and export bans which commercial farmers are well aware of and avoid getting entangles with.

Some Agro analyst have called on the Zambia National Service to grow the 500,000 metric tones of Maize needed for local food security and national consumption so that the private sector can concentrate on selling into the ready export market such as neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo – DRC and Angola.

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The Zambia National Farmers Union – ZNFA