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The Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation – NEPIO says the coming of the Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology – CNST and Nuclear Power Plant – NPP will help contribute to the diversification Zambia’s economy.

Last year, the Zambian Government and Russia’s Rosatom signed a contract for the construction of a Center for Nuclear Science and Technology – CNST to be located in Chongwe. Head of NEPIO Dr. Roland Msiska said the establishment of the Nuclear Research Centre in Chongwe would add value to gemstones through enhanced coloration for local and export markets.

In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT by NEPIO head of Public Awareness Chisha Mutale, Dr. Msiska said the Research Reactor Facility at the Centre would also be used for neutron activation analysis, mineral characterization of various ore and detection of undeclared minerals thereby increasing mineral taxation.

He said the establishment of the nuclear centre in Zambia would enhance the capability to export products into the European market adding that most of the European countries have set standards that require agricultural product coming into their markets to be gamma irradiated that eliminates insects.

“You do recall that at one time, the South African Government had banned our honey products from entering their country. The reason behind their decision was because our honey was not gamma irradiated. However, with the coming of this Centre, such bans will not affect us anymore, “he said.

He added that the Centre would also be used for the treatment of cancer patients and easy detection of leaking pipes using isotope techniques and production of chips for computers and cell phones.

Dr. Msiska also noted that the decision by government to include nuclear energy in the country’s energy mix came as a result of the severe drought the country had experienced during the 2015/2016 rain season. He said the drought resulted in a reduction of the country’s economic growth by 40%, prompting Government to explore other power sources such as nuclear energy, which is not adversely affected by weather. He further said Nuclear energy is not here to replace other renewable energies such as solar and hydro power but will be part of the energy mix of the country.

On the 21st of December 2018 ROSATOM handed over the final report on the assessment of nuclear infrastructure in the Republic of Zambia to Minister of Higher Education of the country, Professor Nkandu Luo and then Secretary to the Cabinet and now NEPIO Director Roland Msiska. The report was handed over under the contract for assessment and development of nuclear infrastructure in the country.
Nkandu Luo noted: nuclear power is the key factor in improvement of the wellbeing of the country while the pivotal role in the development of nuclear power sector is played by three elements: development of nuclear infrastructure, highly qualified human resources of the country and inter-university cooperation between Russia and Zambia.
The report includes results of expert missions conducted in September 2018. The expert missions were held by more than 30 experts of different enterprises of ROSATOM as meetings and interviews with representatives of 30 Zambian ministries and organizations: representatives of stakeholders, i.e. potential participants of nuclear power program development.
The implemented approaches helped Russian experts identify the level of development of nuclear infrastructure in Zambia as well as give corresponding recommendations for creation of sufficient and effective nuclear infrastructure to build and safely operate the Nuclear Science and Technology Center (NSTC).
Zambia is reported to have sizeable uranium deposits though official statistics remain scarce. The country has however attracted big players in the global high tech and high stakes nuclear space. The Zambian Government opted to sign and partner with Russia’s Rosatom to develop its nuclear ambitions.ROSATOM holds first place in terms of the number of simultaneously implemented nuclear reactor construction projects (6 in Russia and 36 outside Russia).
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The Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation –

Tech

Airtel Networks Zambia Plc has donated text books worth K10,000 to St Edmund’s Secondary School situated in Katuba area 50 kilometers away from Zambia’s capital city Lusaka in an effort to continue with its educational support.

Recognizing that education is a key driver to higher productivity which is a prerequisite for national development, Fr Jim who received the books on behalf of the school said the school was in need of a lot of help and the mathematics books donated would go a long way in helping the pupils.

“We are truly grateful for this. We do not take it for granted and I know that the current crop of students will appreciate these books,” he said.

“It is always nice to see corporate entities help out the communities in improving the quality of education of learners. We do realise government cannot do this alone hence the need for partnerships to be created,” he added

And Airtel’s Enterprise Business Director Muyunda Munyinda in handing over the books said Airtel will continue being relevant in the Education sector as promoting equity in accessing education is paramount to national development.

St Edmund’s Secondary School is situated 20 kilometers from Chieftainess Mungule’s palace. The school started operations in 2016 and has more than 100 students from around Chieftainess Mungule’s village.

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Airtel Networks Zambia Plc has donated text

Tech

Airtel Money says it has introduced third party deposits confirmation service for its customers. This means that Airtel money customers sending money using Agents will now be able to receive an SMS notifications as confirmation of deposits.

The new feature will allow customers to deposit money through an Agent into another customer’s number with the recipient receiving the depositor’s details on the notification message instead of the agent details, Airtel Money Director James Chona announced the development in Lusaka.

“This revolutionary service which is only available on Airtel Money is aimed at giving depositors and recipient’s immediate notifications on all third party deposits. What this entails is that instead of a customer wondering whether the money has been sent or not, they will have sms notification of where their money has been sent to while the receiver will also get a message informing them that they have received money and where it is from,” he said.

Chona emphasized that the feature is meant to eliminate any doubt thus having both the depositor and the recipient receiving sms notification of money sent. The new feature will not only ensure that there is transparency in the service but also help tackle the issues of fraud and prevent risks of sending money to unintended recipients.

The new feature does not attract any additional fees to the customer other than the usual customer transaction charges. Airtel had earlier pledged through its corporate affairs manager Yuyo Kambikambi told ZBT that the company was working round the clock with other key stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies, regulators and IT security experts to stem the reported increase in mobile money frauds that had affected the entire mobile money industry.

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Airtel Money says it has introduced third

Markets

The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry – ZACCI Business Confidence Index – BCI survey shows a decrease to 137.8 points in business activities for the first quarter of 2019 compared to 161.4 points in the fourth quarter in 2018.

The BCI measures the level of confidence of business executives in the business environment and predicts short term business trends. Addressing the media in Lusaka on May 17, 2019, ZACCI president Michael Nyirenda attributed the decrease in business activities to the depreciation of the Kwacha, low sales due to reduced demand and delayed payments by government.

Nyirenda said other factors are poor liquidity and increased competition from foreign goods, policy inconsistency with the most recent being the reversal of maize export, lost contracts to supply mines and unpredictable climatic conditions which have caused lower Agro yields.

He said the survey revealed that the performance of business has worsened in the first quarter of the year and that businesses experienced decreased demand for their products thereby contributing to the high cost of doing business.

He disclosed that businesses expect the overall performance of the economy to deteriorate in the short term. He however recommended that government should pay suppliers of goods and services to avoid shocking businesses in the economy and ensure consistency in policy to have a predictable business environment.

“Of the 6 study provinces, only 2 provinces, that is North western (105.9 points) and Southern (102 points) recorded positive sentiments in the business environment and this was mainly due to respondents’ expectations that their business performance would improve in the first quarter of 2019,” he said.

He further disclosed that in the 10 BCI study sectors, mining and quarrying recorded 102 points in the first quarter of 2019 while Transport and Communication recorded 103.3 and the rest recorded negative sentiments and expectations.

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The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Sport

The Castle Africa 5s social tournament has this year attracted over 90 participant teams in the country who will this weekend battle for tickets to Tanzania to participate at the continental level.

The Zambian breweries team says the tournament has proven to be very competitive with some 48 teams participating in the Lusaka regional while 44 teams participation in Ndola for the Copperbelt  region.

Zambia soccer legend and Castle 5s ambassador Christopher Katongo said the Zambian Breweries has this season stepped up the Castle Africa 5s social football tournament by extending participation to other cities and encouraging more women participation.

“I am very happy that with the sport is heading in the right direction with the inclusion of women who are competing to win their tickets to Tanzania to participate at the continental level and the extension for the participating of other cities in the tournament. This is not just a mare tournament but also an opportunity to sensitising the young ones on the dangers of underage drinking. I am happy and grateful to Castle Lager for still recognising me as one of the football legends who has done something extraordinary for Zambia,” he said

“We are happy to be a part of this year’s tournament, the atmosphere is exciting and every team here is eager to win and travel to Tanzania for the continental finals. Last year we had the Continental championships right here in Lusaka, Zambia, and we missed the trophy by just a whisker as our colleagues from South Africa managed to win. This year we are going geared as you can see the efforts from the participating teams,” he said.

The play-offs will be held on May 25 at the Futsal Sports Complex in Lusaka. Zambian Breweries Castle Africa 5s social football is championing talent in sports through strengthening friendships and bringing people together to promote physical fitness.

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The Castle Africa 5s social tournament has

Companies

Zambia’s First Lady Esther Lungu in partnership with Airtel Networks Zambia Plc has donated 135 bicycles worth K145, 000 to three health facilities in Mkushi.

The First Lady, Esther Lungu officiated at this year’s National Safe Motherhood Week in Nkushi where she donated 135 bicycles where to Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs) in a bid to enhance maternal child health initiatives.

Speaking during the handover of the bicycles to Mrs. Lungu, Airtel’s Territory Sales Manager, Chiinga Kangwa said Airtel was committed to interventions that center mostly especially maternal and child health.

“We are delighted to have partnered with the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust (ELFT) in order to create synergies in a continued bid to compliment government’s efforts to improve health care especially in rural settings such as where we are today,” he said.

And the first lady thanked Airtel Zambia for their continued support to the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust. She said the partnership had enabled community health workers acquire the much needed mobility aids to enhance their community based maternal and child health activities.

“We are truly grateful to Airtel for their continued support as this has made it easier for the community workers to do their job,” Mrs. Lungu said.

Airtel had last year partnered with the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust (ELFT) to support community-based maternal and child health interventions which is a key area in which Airtel continues to involve itself.

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Zambia’s First Lady Esther Lungu in partnership

Markets

Zambia’s inflationary rate has recorded a 0.4% increase, resulting in the year on year inflation for May 2019 to increase to 8.1% from 7.7%recorded in April 2019. This raise has breached the target bound inflations rate the country which was announced to be the range between 6 to 8%.

Analyst say the current depreciation of the Kwacha which the Central Bank – BOZ has exhibited limited to no innovation to manage in terms of stability in the short term is further expected to put more upward pressure on prices via imported inflation as well as psychological price increases as this bout of currency instability continues.

Addressing the media at Central Statistics Office (CSO) attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Acting Director of Census and Statistics Daniel Daka said the increase in the annual rate of inflation was mainly attributed to upward price movements in food item such as dried fish, dried Kapenta (Mpulungu, Siavonga and Chisense), meat and Vegetable.

Of the 8.1 percent annual inflation rate recorded, Food and Non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 4.8 percentage point while non-food items accounted for a total of 3.3 percentage point. Of the 3.3 percentage point, transport contributed the highest at 1.0 percentage point followed by housing, water, electricity gas and other fuels at 0.7%.

At provincial level, Lusaka Province recorded the highest contribution to national inflation at 2.4 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate of 8.1 percent. This implies that the price movement in Lusaka Province had the greatest contribution to the overall annual rate of inflation.

Copperbelt Province had the second highest contribution of 1.7 percentage points while North Western Province has the lowest contribution of 0.3 percentage points.

The year of year food inflation rate for May 2019 has also recorded a 0.8 percentage points at 9.1 percent compared to 8.3 percent recorded in April 2019. This increase in mainly attributed to price change in production such as Vegetables and fish products.

The food inflation rate increase has been attributed to climate change effects which has affected some key Agro provinces such as Southern, western and parts of Lusaka provinces which have experience low rainfall.

Rain-fed and rain dependent traditional agriculture  practices continue to be the largest hindrance in times of below normal rainfall with efforts to diversify and increase the irrigated hectarage receiving a start and stop drive.

Upward inflationary risks remain high as non food items which are imported are expected to weigh in for the coming months. Though the Kwacha to rand volatility has been muted and the fact that Zambia’s imports of consumer goods are mostly from South Africa, the effects may be lessened though retailers are expected to hike prices taking advantage of the volatility in the Kwacha to US dollar and Kwacha to Pound Sterling volatility.

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Zambia’s inflationary rate has recorded a 0.4%

Agribusiness

The Agricultural and Commercial Society of Zambia – ACSZ has clarified that the Zambia National Agricultural and commercial show will go ahead as planned contrary to reports that the show has been cancelled.

Society President Caroline Silwamba explained that the Ministry of Agriculture has cancelled three provincial shows in Western, Southern and Lusaka provinces due to crop yield recorded in the 2018/2019 farming season.

Addressing the media in Lusaka on May 30, 2029, Silwamba revealed that preparations for the 93rd Agricultural show have reached about 75% and will take place in Lusaka’ show grounds.

She said the society regrets the crop failure in the highlighted provinces and has since encouraged farmers from the affected provinces willing to participate to come on board and attend workshops as they will be more opportunities offered during the Show adding that the workshop will cover important topics in Agriculture, Commerce, Fisheries and Livestock.

The 93rd National Agricultural and Commercial Show is scheduled to take place from the 31st July 2019 to 5th August ,2019 under the theme “Embracing Industrial Development,”.

“I would like to emphasize that the 93rd Zambia National Agricultural and Commercial Show will go as planned and preparations are already advanced. Our Exhibitors that have already acquired exhibition spaces should not panic or get worried and we are calling upon other would be exhibitors to come on board. You are welcome to acquire exhibition stands for your products and services. We still have available spaces for all exhibitors including foreign companies”, she said

The ACSZ President has reiterated that the Show will never move to another location as it was rumored on social media and traditional media platforms last year saying Showgrounds is a permanent place and it has stated constructing new facilities aimed at modernizing the place.

She has further called on cooperating partners and other well wishers to continue supporting the Society to host a success Show and has encouraged show goers to come in numbers to see what will be put in place for them.

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The Agricultural and Commercial Society of Zambia

Sport

The regional Annual Sports Award (RASA) has crowned Zambian sprinter Kennedy Luchembe as Junior Sportsman of the year 2019.

Kennedy was awarded the tittle on Saturday 25 May, 2019 in the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) held in Namibia.

And Coach Douglas Kalemba has told the Zambian Business Times (ZBT) in an exclusive interview that Kennedy had last year won a gold medal in 400 meters race in the African youth Championship held in Argentina and another gold medal in Zone 5 games held in Botswana last year.

The coach says Luchembe is a very hard working and talented young man who is representing the country well in African tournaments.

And Speaking after receiving the award, Luchembe said he is very happy that his hard work and commitments in 2018 has finally paid off by been named sports man of the year 2019.

“I am happy that the hard work and commitment of 2018 has paid off. It is a great achievement and thank you to my Coach Felix Mbuye who has been working with me since I started and I am also thankful to all the Coaches who have helped me in so many ways including the Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development through the Podium Performance Programme”.

Meanwhile, Zambia has also been awarded as the Country of the year AUSC Region 5 for its outstanding performance in the implementation of the Podium Performance Programme, SEAS and region 5 strategic plans.

The award was received by the Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development Hon. Moses Mawere MP who was accompanied by Director of Sports in the Ministry Bessie Chelemu and National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) Acting General Secretary Raphael Mulenga.

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The regional Annual Sports Award (RASA) has

Markets

Zambia’s highest decision making organ, the Cabinet which is composed of ministers has directed that the ministry of Finance submits a list of loans to be considered for cancellation, postponement or slowdown as a measure to address external and domestic debt.

Minister of Finance, Magerate Mwanakatwe has also been directed to present to cabinet at its next sitting a list of project loans to be considered for slowing down, postponing and cancellation. In doing so, projects that are of an economic nature will not be cancelled as resumption of growth is important to address the current challenges.

Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe has disclosed at a media briefing that “in view of the prevailing economic situation that the country is going through, the president called for an urgent Cabinet Meeting on Monday 27th May 2019 at state house to get a full brief on the state of the economy.

President Lungu further engaged cabinet and his top ministers to decide on measures to be taken to restore the macro-economic stability, debt sustainability and ensure that growth is restored on an upward trajectory for the benefit of Zambians.

The finance minister stated that cabinet directed that legal reforms such as the enactment of a new public procurement law should be hastened to ensure value for money and that ministries should improve on contract management.

Cabinet also directed that no Ministry, Province or Spending Agency should contract for goods and services without availability of funds even if it is budgeted for, to stop the accumulation of arrears. To this effect the Treasury was directed to issue strict guidelines on the matter.

The minister says the treasury was also directed to ensure that the measures above are implemented expeditiously to facilitate the sourcing of external funds to finance critical expenditure in the 2019 budget that are required to support growth.

The fiscal side of economic management has been sited as the weakest link in Zambia’s macro-economic management system with analyst calling for professionalism of this important aspect needed to stabilize the country’s performance.

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Zambia’s highest decision making organ, the Cabinet