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Agribusiness

The Zambia National Farmers’ Union-ZNFU says soya beans prices are expected to increase this year due to the high demand for the commodity.

ZNFU Public Relations Manager Calvin Kaleyi expressed delight over the current prices of soya beans on the market noting that soya beans is selling between K12 and K13.50 per kg depending on the area.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Kaleyi said the prices are expected to increase further as the commodity is on high demand not only in Zambia but also in the region.

Kaleyi stressed that the demand for soya beans is currently high and the only thing that would trigger the soya bean commodity prices is if the market is saturated which has not happened.

“When you see good prices coming out like that, it is an encouragement to farmers to even do much more. This must ensure that everyone in the value chain appreciates and that includes those that are in production”, he said.

He however said he could not project the maximum price but said what is expected is a good price, which will allow farmers to make a full cost recovery in the form of input costs, labour, herbicide costs, fertilizers and other chemical costs.

Kaleyi mentioned that the current price for soya beans has improved compared to last year and this is because the commodity is on high demand.

He noted that the union would like to see farmers get good prices for their commodity as well as a good return on their investment as it is the only way of benefiting the agricultural sector adding that good prices encourage farmers to do much more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Zambia National Farmers’ Union-ZNFU says soya

Lifestyle

The Finnish embassy has refuted claims by the UPND government that it has engaged the embassy concerning the flying of a rainbow flag on its premises on 17 May 2022 as a symbol of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) movement.

Earlier this week, Minister of Media and Information and Chief Government Spokesperson Chushi Kasanda said government had officially written to the Finnish and Swedish embassies demanding for an explanation for their actions as Zambia being a Christian nation does not support LGBT rights.

However, Finnish Ambassador Pirjo-Suo Mela Chowdhury said it is well known that the LGBT issue is a very important human rights issue to Finnish and once a year the LGBT flag is hoisted to stress the importance of human rights in the regard of LGBT.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Chowdhury said the raising of the flag in support of LGBT rights is not new, as it has been done in previous years by many embassies in Zambia as well as in different parts of the world.

Chowdhury said it is surprising that the hoisting of the flag has been given so much attention this year when it is not something new and has been done over the years.

“It is a human rights priority for us, it is for us to express our views in good spirt in different parts of the world not only in Zambia and it is something that many countries do. It is not directed at anyone but it is something important to us and we feel it is important to stress the importance of the matter”, Chowdhury said.

She mentioned that the channel of communication between Finland and the Zambian government is open and the two are in good spirit constantly at different levels.

 

 

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The Finnish embassy has refuted claims by

Agribusiness

The Zambian Fruit and Vegetable Traders Association says the quality of onion that Zambian farmers are supplying to supermarkets is not substandard, as farmers understand the importance of meeting the set standards when producing crops.

Association President Bernard Sikunyongana said the quality of onion produced in Zambia has improved but admitted that there is more effort needed in order to produce the best quality of onion.

Sikunyongana, whose association buys onion from farmers and offloads it on the market stressed that the onion that local farmers are producing is not so different from the onion that is imported from South Africa but there is room for improvement.

“We are traders, as an association we provide a ready market, when their produce is ready, farmers call us and we buy from them then offload it on the market. Whatever farmers are producing, especially onion, garlic and ginger, we provide a market”, he said.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Sikunyongana mentioned that the country has improved in terms of onion production noting that the country only imported onion for two months before the suspension of onion imports compared to six months of imports in the past.

Sikunyongana has called upon government to assist farmers with onion dryers and set up aggregation centres in areas, which would be identified as having a huge number of farmers producing onion adding that aggregation centres would address the challenge of storage facilities.

“If today a farmer does one hectare, they do not have where to dry it so those storage facilities will be helpful for stocking the onion, we do the grading, stock it and then it’s ready for the market. Those are the areas government needs to work on because that will be the buying point and delivery point for the farmer. We need to polish up on the quality but we are almost there”, he said.

He commended government for maintaining its stance on the issue of onion imports, which will protect farmers adding that this will also encourage farmers to improve the quality of onions they are producing.

Sikunyongana explained that some onion varieties need to be handled using machinery while others can be handled by hand therefore farmers are being advised to grow varieties which are not difficult to handle.

 

 

 

 

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The Zambian Fruit and Vegetable Traders Association

Lifestyle

Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson Chushi Kasanda says government has engaged the Finnish and Swedish Embassies concerning the flying of a rainbow flag on their premises, which is a symbol of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQI) movement.

Kasanda who is currently Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said government has written to the two embassies demanding for an explanation for their actions because Zambia is a Christian nation and does not support LGBT rights.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Kasanda noted that the two embassies are yet to respond to government’s enquiry and then government will be able to provide more information on the matter.

“We have engaged them looking at the fact that we are a Christian nation so we have written to them and we have not received a response yet. You also need to take into account that embassies are a different territory, that is like you are in another country but because we are a Christian nation, we have engaged them”, she said.

May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide.

On May 17 2022, the Swedish and Finnish Embassies flew rainbow flags in support and commitment of the LGBTQI rights. In a Facebook post, the two Embassies noted that they flew the rainbow flag in support and commitment to LGBTQI rights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Minister of Information and Media and Chief

Mining

The Emeralds and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambian-ESMAZ has advised government to empower local people with the necessary knowledge on mining as opposed to grabbing mines from them on grounds that they have failed to develop.

ESMAZ President Victor Kalesha said the narrative of grabbing mining licenses from local people on the pretext that they are failing to develop and giving them to foreign companies needs correction as it is negatively affecting local people.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Kalesha said formalizing the mining operations of local people is the only way Zambia will realise maximum benefits from its minerals unlike chasing away local people, calling them illegal miners while multinational companies that are stealing and not being honest with taxes mine freely.

Kalesha explained that most of the minerals such as manganese and emeralds that are illegally found and sold on the market are mined by Zambians who are called illegal miners hence the need to formalize their operations and give them licenses so that they can mine legally and start selling to those that want to export.

He however noted that there is need to put in place monitoring mechanisms for the few Zambians that have mining licenses in order to know how much is being mined, exported and how much the nation is realising out of it in terms of taxes.

“There is need for extensive exploration and declaration of how much reserves the country has for manganese and other minerals and how much is produced so that we are able to know the extent in which the manganese can contribute to the national economy”, he said.

The Association President said all mineral resources have the potential to drive the country’s economic fortunes and manganese and emeralds are no exception noting that manganese is on demand and Central and Luapula provinces have good grades with most of it illegally mined in Luapula province.

“We need to take advantage of each mineral as they bring contribution to the economy of the country as they all have the potential in their own way. By doing so, Zambia will have resources coming from all spheres of the mining sector which will benefit the nation by receiving more resources in the national coffers”, he said.

Kalesha mentioned that Zambia will never have a better time than now to correct the mistakes that have been happening in the mining sector adding that there should be a policy that directs that whatever foreign company wants to invest should partner with Zambians to a certain extent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Emeralds and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association

Markets

The Bank of Zambia-BOZ is on track to hit the $100m end of year 2022 target it has set.

BOZ has however been challenged to be more ambitious and aggressive to target a reserve chest of about $1 billion worth of gold for it to be tangible enough to be able to help stabilize the kwacha.

In response to a question from the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, during the Monetary Policy Committee Announcement and Press Briefing on Wednesday, on the current gold reserves the country has, BOZ Deputy Governor-Operations Dr. Francis Chipimo said the bank currently has US$63 worth of gold bullion reserves.

Dr. Chipimo had earlier stated that the central bank intends to purchase US$48 million worth of gold from Kansanshi Copper Mine in 2022.

He said the bank was purchasing gold from Zambia Gold Company, a subsidiary of ZCCM-IH but that is currently on suspension until the issues surrounding the operations of Zambia Gold Company are resolved.

The Deputy Governor mentioned that the central bank’s reserves were around US$48 million in , which is more or less, what was purchased in 2021.

Dr. Chipimo explained that there are other precious minerals, which exist but in terms of what qualifies as international reserves; gold is what is traditionally used in the market therefore the reason for building gold reserves.

He noted that gold was purchased to help build international reserves so the focus and qualification for what the bank purchases is based on what can count as international reserves.

“Gold is one of those things which is traditionally known and well traded as it has a deep market so for now that is what the bank is focusing on”, he said.

 

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The Bank of Zambia-BOZ is on track

Lifestyle

State House Media Director Clayson Hamasaka says all the press secretaries that President Hakainde Hichilema has so far appointed into Foreign Service are qualified for the job.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Hamasaka said it does not matter where the selected press secretaries are coming from, as what matters is that they are qualified, drawn from across the country and are from different media houses.

Hamasaka however declined to state which media institutions the journalists are coming from noting that all the public needs to know is that the appointed individuals are qualified Zambian journalists.

He refuted allegations that some of the journalists appointed are not qualified and stressed that they are all qualified journalists who are Zambians.

“Asking such questions is not helping the country, when we appoint citizens, does it really matter where they come from other than just their qualifications, they are Zambian journalists and that’s enough for the public”, he said.

The press secretaries appointed are Julia Malunga-Botswana, Pamela Mulenga-Italy, Charles Tembo-Washington DC, USA, Lloyd Kapusa-Brazil, Charles Mucholo-Australia and Hambaya Munang’andu-Belgium.

Others are Kashewe Lubinda-Germany, Tamara Nyirenda-South Africa, Faith Chilube-Japan, Naomi Ng’andu-France, Inutu Mupango-Ethiopia, Pamela Nkeete-Turkey, Speedwell Mupuchi-London, UK, Bennie Mundando-India and Namatama Njekwa – New York, USA.

 

 

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State House Media Director Clayson Hamasaka says

Mining

The Mine Workers Union of Zambia – MUZ – has urged government to expedite the process of reopening of Chambishi Metals as the continued closure has continued to negatively affect the laid off workers as well as the economy of the Copperbelt.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, MUZ President Joseph Chewe Said the continued closure of Chambishi Metals has not only affected the union membership, but it is also affecting the community as it has deprived the much needed job opportunities.

He stated that the closure has also deprived business opportunities for the people that are dependent on the mining firm such as suppliers and the linked businesses. Chewe noted that the closure has also affected the country’s revenue collection through Zambia Revenue Authority – ZRA and the respective Town Councils, the ministry of mines to ensure that the asset (Chambishi metals) is brought back to operation

Management at Chambishi metals place the mine on care and maintenance in January 2020 following failure to access raw materials such as cobalt from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo – DRC which resulted in the loss of about 230 workers. Remember that these workers support about 5 to 6 family members, therefore the people directly affected are about 1,400.

The MUZ President said government should therefore find alternative means that will ensure that the mine reopen unlike the continued placing of operations on care and maintenance leading to no production and continued joblessness.

With the increased cost of living occasioned by the steep fuel price increase, towns like Chambishi and Kalulushi which relied on jobs and revenue generated from Chambishi metals are being hit hard. The need for urgent solutions to reopening the mining related firm is urgent.

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The Mine Workers Union of Zambia -

Companies

Prudential Zambia, revealed the company’s new brand campaign which is purposed to position Prudential as the face of life and health insurance in Zambia, through a brand and marketing campaign called, ‘WE DO.’

At an event that Prudential Zambia  held yesterday in Lusaka, Chief Executive Officer, Kachiza Kwenda said that at the core of what WE DO is people “We are committed to making a positive impact on our customers, our employees, and our communities by delivering the best financial protection and health solutions to people so they can get the most out of life”, he said.

He said that the campaign espouses the organization’s commitment to a positive, innovative, and action-oriented attitude. Through this campaign, Prudential aims to reinforce its embodiment of Optimism not being afraid for the future, looking at the challenges ahead and saying, “here I come!” and Innovation it’s not just about creating new things for the sake of creating, it is about meaningful creations enabling people to live better and get the most out of life, he added.

At the same event, attended by the Zambian business times-ZBT, Kwenda alluded that the commitment of helping people get the most out of life has provided the company with direction since it was launched it in 2020.

“Coupled with this forever promise is another dimension that needs to be reflected in our brand story that’s our ability to deliver. Deliver better service and innovation to support the long-term goals of our customers.” he said.

He further added that the company recognizes its mandate to make healthcare affordable and accessible, to protect people’s wealth, to grow their assets, and to empower the emetics customers to save for their goals.

And CEO for Prudential Pensions Management Zambia, Kanyifwa Nyirongo said that the company actively aspire to be the number 1 investment and financial services brand in Zambia by providing the best experience at every stage of the customer journey. With the aim to be a partner of choice to its distributors, government & community partners by starting, sustaining and growing relationships with distributors and driving community projects that impact lives.

While Emmanuel Mokobi, Regional CEO Prudential East and Central Africa who was also in attendance said that its African growth story is an ever evolving and dynamic one, it is made possible by the immense opportunities this region provides a rising middle class, a youthful working age population that is fast becoming urbanized. WE DO financial solutions that will enable them to protect their health and wealth.

 

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Prudential Zambia, revealed the company’s new brand

Tech

The Zambia Information Communication and Technology authority –ZICTA has denied assertions that the regulator has abolished penalizing mobile service operators following public complaints that mobile network connectivity and quality of service has continued to deteriorate across the country.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT – ZICTA corporate communications Manager Hanford Chaaba said penalizing mobile operators can only be done after a report is generated that shows that the poor quality of service do not meet the requirements.

ZICTA corporate communications Manager disclosed that the authority is actively engaging the mobile network operators at each and every stage to see how best the service can be improved. He said ZICTA is working together with mobile operators in doing the drive test and drive around and see the findings together.

He said one of the parameters ZICTA uses to measure quality of service, is that a normal call should not take more than 10 seconds to connect to the other user and the moment it exceeds it becomes poor quality of service.

ZICTA corporate communications Manager said it becomes a source of concern to the authority when consumers are not enjoying the services that they are supposed to. Chaaba noted the network has not been good since mid-last year adding that the mobile providers are attributing it to the network upgrade.

He said ZICTA as a regulator has managed to buy equipment which will help in mitigating and monitoring the quality of services provided. Chaaba said ZICTA is however hopeful that that with the new equipment, the issue of poor quality will help in addressing issues to do with quality of service.He said the equipment will pin point actual areas where there is poor quality of service to district level.

ZICTA has not issued any penalties to erring mobile networks despite the public outcry and complaints that the networks are now congested and making inter network calls is even becoming more and more difficult. It’s like the networks are blocking each other but this is affecting business and social communication adversely.

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The Zambia Information Communication and Technology authority