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President Lungu authorises Government to recruit 3,400 health workers to curb spread of COVID-19

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President Edgar Lungu has authorized the recruitment of 3,400 health personnel in order to enhance measures aimed at curbing the further spread of the coronavirus in the country.

Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya disclosed that the recruitment that commenced yesterday will comprise of 400 doctors and 3,000 paramedics that will scale up and support response against COVID-19.

Dr. Chilufya added that President Lungu has also directed that incentives be provided for health workers who are at the frontline amidst the fight against the pandemic.

He said the move was aimed at motivating and supporting the courageous health workers who are diligently serving and protecting the nation from the deadly disease.

“The government of the Republic of Zambia under President Lungu continues to place health security at the apex of its health agenda to protect the public from any health hazards. To this effect, we are executing a scalable plan that is sensitive to the data that we get as the epidemic evolves in Zambia,” he said.

The minister revealed that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 still remains at 36 as the country has not recorded any new case in the last 24 hours.

He stated his ministry conducted 99 laboratory tests among the persons who got into contact with the confirmed cases and all have come out negative.

Dr. Chilufya added that five cases that were tested due to public alert have been discharged.

He noted that among the 36 confirmed cases under isolation, 35 are exhibiting mild or no symptoms, while one case still remains on oxygen but not deteriorating.

The minister said to intensify measures, screening at all points of entry have been enhanced through identification of rapid response teams that are able to fast track screening and testing for drivers carrying essential commodities so as not to disrupt trade.

Dr. Chilufya further revealed that government has secured a suitable place for trucks carrying commodities into the country through Livingstone and other border points when drivers are in quarantine for 14 days.

He has continued to urge the public to take preventive measures as advised by his ministry so that the country can minimize the risk of person to person contraction.

Meanwhile, more stakeholders have continued to supplement government efforts in the fight against the pandemic.

ZCCM-IH donated an ambulance to be used for referring patients, while the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority made a donation of hand sanitizers valued at K50, 000.

And the National Health Insurance Management Authority has donated over K2 million advance claims provided to three hospitals, while Biomedical Association of Zambia has contributed 300 laboratory coats and 600 masks for health personnel.

Meanwhile, a global picture shows that over 859,000 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded, resulting in about 42,400 deaths as of yesterday.

Africa has recorded 61, 018 cases, and about 199 deaths in 50 countries and territories.

Be wary of fake ‘men of God’, Zambians warned

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The Anglican Church has cautioned members of the public against being deceived by some Pastors who claim to have the cure for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Anglican Diocese of Eastern Zambia Bishop, William Mchombo, said there was need for people to be careful with fake ‘men of God’ who may be claiming to have the cure for coronavirus.

Bishop Mchombo said this is not the time to be ignoring measures being put in place by health experts because coronavirus is real.

He said in an interview with ZANIS that some pastors, whom he referred to as “Papas” and traditional leaders, should desist from misleading people that they have certain powers that can cure COVID-19.

Bishop Mchombo said witchdoctors should not take advantage of the pandemic in order to make quick money by misleading people.

He said members of the public should work together in order to contain the deadly virus that has ravaged many countries across the globe.

“There is a myth that coronavirus is a curse from God but as a church, we wouldn’t want to say that this is a curse from God,” he said.

Bishop Mchombo said the church appreciates measures the government has put in place to curb the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.

He said there has been serious responses to coronavirus prevention by the government which needs to be followed.

Bishop Mchombo said the government is conducting screening for coronavirus at every point of entry in the country as a measure to curb the spread of the virus.

He has since appealed to the members of the public to adhere to preventive measures set by the government through the Ministry of Heath to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Bishop Mchombo has urged the government to ensure that health workers are well protected from the disease as they are carrying out their duties at COVID-19 hotspots in the country.

He said the health workers need to be protected because they can also contract the virus from the people who they are treating in the hospitals.

Frustrations force UPND councillor out of party

A United Party for National Development (UPND) ward councilor in Chilubi constituency has with immediate resigned from his position.

Bulilo Ward Councilor, Albert Lwanga, has also resigned from the opposition political party to join the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).

In his resignation letter addressed to Chilubi District Council Chairperson and made available to ZANIS in Kasama yesterday, Mr. Lwanga said he has been compelled to resign due to frustrations from his party.

He further accused the opposition UPND of lacking a development agenda and support to its civic leaders.

And when contacted for a comment, UPND Northern Province chairperson Nathan Ilunga said the party leadership was not aware or Mr. Lwanga’s resignation.

Meanwhile, Chilubi Member of Parliament Mulenga Fube said the resignation of the Bulilo ward councillor was an indication that the PF has continued to attract more members.

Mr. Fube said President Edgar Lungu’s visionary leadership and pro-poor policies make the PF a party of choice for many Zambians.

Zambia is better off immediately defaulting on external debt-Sean Tembo

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Patriots for Economic progress Leader Sean Tembo says Zambia is better off immediately defaulting on external debt in order to preserve some capacity for the country to meet its domestic debt obligations as and when they fall due.

Mr Tembo says the prevailing circumstances would give the country legal protection even if government decides to default on external debt obligations.

He has urged the Attorney General to invoke the force majeure clause in the external debt agreements and write to creditors to inform them that the COVID-19 global pandemic has brought about circumstances that make it impossible for Zambia to meet its obligations under the respective loan agreements.

Mr Tembo said Government shoukd move fast and consider the above measures saying this is not a time for lethargy if the country is going to successfully navigate the economic storm that the global COVID-19 pandemic has brought about.

He added that it is also worth noting that if Zambia is not able to maintain some financial muscle during this period of the pandemic, it will be very difficult for the country to successfully fight the COVID-19 pandemic itself.

Mr Tembo said therefore, the Minister of Finance is as important as the Minister of Health in the fight against COVID-19.

He said PEP is ready and willing to temporarily shelve their differences with the PF and its Government and actively contribute to the country’s planning in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Tembo said Zambia is facing an existential threat which all Zambians need to treat as such, not only in words but in deeds as well.

And Mr Tembo says it is common cause that the social-distancing guidelines recently announced by President Lungu have resulted in the total shutdown of some economic sectors such as tourism, entertainment, religious services, etcetera, while several private companies have decided to suspend operations and lay off most of their employees.

He said equally, a number of mining companies on the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces, who are a key source of forex, have also started to suspend their operations in the interest of protecting their workers from COVID-19.

Mr Tembo said is also common cause that the lockdowns that have been effected in several of Zambia’s neighboring countries such as DRC Congo, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe will result in extremely low traffic for goods at our borders.

He said in terms of non-tax revenue such as fees and levies, there is no doubt that Government’s main sources are fees related to the movement of motor vehicles such as those collected by RTSA, NRFA, and fuel levies.

Mr Tembo said with Zambians being advised to stay indoors resulting in reduced traffic on the road, there is no doubt that Government’s non-tax revenues have equally dwindled and will continue to dwindle for the unforeseeable future.

60% of Kapiri Mposhi Village banking members default

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Government has expressed concern with the high number of defaulters among the beneficiaries of the village banking programme in Kapiri Mposhi district.

The village banking programme is a revolving soft loan facility being implemented in the district through the Department of Community Development to boost business activities for vulnerable individual and women groups engaged in small medium enterprises (SME) in the area to reduce poverty.

But District Assistant Community Development Officer, Eunice Sunga said over 60 percent of women beneficiaries were not paying back the money which they accessed through the facility.

The facility operates on a revolving fund basis at 20 percent interest per month.

Ms. Sunga disclosed this during the district management meeting chaired by District Commissioner Peter Mwiinde.

She said the high defaulter rates were hampering the implementation of the programme which is aimed at reducing poverty and vulnerability in rural communities.

“Since 2014 when the programme came to Kapiri, we have been experiencing high defaulter rates and just this year we are at over 60 percent already which has made it difficult for us to increase the number of beneficiaries on this facility,” Ms. Sunga said.

She explained that due to the high defaulter rates, only 70 women were currently benefiting the village banking programme in the district as there was insufficient seed money to disburse.

“Generally, funds through village banking should be growing it being a revolving fund with interest but it has remained stagnant due to high default rates since it was launched it in 2014,” Ms. Sunga said.

And District Commissioner, Peter Mwiinde has directed the Department of Community Development to develop systems of recovering the money from all beneficiaries who have not yet paid back.

Mr. Mwiinde observed that the village banking programme will not achieve its objectives of ending poverty among the women and their households in the district if beneficiaries continue to default.

“I know this is a social loan paid back with interest but beneficiaries should be compelled to pay back for others to benefit if the programme is to remain relevant,” Mr. Mwiinde said.

I’m ready to work with PF Government in fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic-HH

UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema says he is ready to work with the Government in fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Mr Hichilema says he is willing to meet anybody and have a conversation on how to fight the pandemic and save lives.

The opposition Leader said he will donate to the prisons because being a convict he understands what the inmates are going through adding that he is also ready to donate food to those that will be quarantined.

Mr Hichilema said he is ready to donate in Millions of Kwacha to help fight the pandemic adding that his Businesses are already doing something to help.

Speaking on the Breakfast show on Hot FM, Mr Hichilema said he loves the country and is a useful member of society that is ready to contribute to the development of the nation.

Mr Hichilema who has lamented over his blocked Genset donation to Chawama Level one Hospital to help reduce load shedding last year said he will from today continue with contributions towards fighting COVID-19 but does not want anyone to send cadres to beat him up.

Meanwhile, Mr Hichilema said his 14 point plan and recommendations to Government Institutions among them the Ministry of Finance, the Director of Public Prosecution and the Judiciary should have compelled those in Authority to reach out to him and work together in the fight against the pandemic.

He reiterated that issues that exist between the UPND and PF should not hamper the concerted efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

Mr Hichilema revealed that he has written to the Government Ministries among them the Ministry of Health and Home Affairs on the need to work together unfortunately none of them has responded to his request.

And Mr Hichilema has reiterated that the Zambian health care system has no capacity to handle a full blown COVID-19 pandemic.

He said a total lockdown is required to prevent the further spread of the pandemic which has now been reported in heavily populated compounds of Chaisa and Jack compounds in Lusaka.

Mr Hichilema has however acknowledged the measures government is putting in place to fight the pandemic.

How the Coronavirus Has Affected Zesco United

Consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic across the football landscape are obvious following the indefinite suspension of the FAZ league and off the field; the outbreak has also sent club’s sailing into uncharted waters.

Defending FAZ Super Division champions Zesco United are feeling effects upstairs where management is grappling with unprecedented challenges.

Zesco CEO Richard Mulenga told LT Sports that the scenario was not like going on a mid-season or end –of-season break and that they are at the mercy of the forces of nature until the pandemic was brought under control.

“Our scouting incoming players has been put on hold,” Mulenga told LT Sports.

“Negotiations for incoming players have also been put off.”

But Mulenga added the clubs’ ledger is in good health despite no revenue coming from the turnstiles.

“Players and the entire team continue to get full salaries while loss of income from gate takings is however minimal,” Mulenga added.

“Reduced expenditure is not really a plus because these monies will be spent when the league restarts, but it has helped to improve cash-flow.”

Meanwhile, the forced break has given Zesco a breather after a grueling last 24 months of non-stop football both on the domestic and continental front.

“There are however a plus for Zesco United in particular: recovery from fatigue having had no rest at the end of last season and recovery from injury for a number of players,” Mulenga said.

As Zesco sit and wait for the pandemic to subside, they went into the postponement sitting 5th on the log after 24 games played with ten left to play in their quest for an unprecedented fourth successive FAZ Super Division title.

Zesco have 42 points, four points behind leaders and their Ndola archrivals Forest Rangers who have also played 24 games.

It’s very unfortunate that the CEC and ZESCO failed to reach a mutually acceptable power supply deal

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Energy Expert Johnston Chikwanda says it is very unfortunate that the Copperbelt Energy Corporation and Zesco have failed to reach a mutually acceptable power supply deal.

Mr Chikwanda says it was expected that it was not going to be a smooth separation between these two companies although it was and it still remains possible to resolve their issues.

He said the reported time frame in which the negotiations started was not enough.

Mr Chikwanda said given the intricacies around this two decade old relationship, seven weeks of negotiations were not enough.

He said with Zesco stopping to sell electricity to CEC, CEC’s main income would be from charging Zesco for using CEC’s infrastructure (transmission charges) on the Copperbelt in order to remain viable.

Mr Chikwanda said although there is a thought that CEC could import electricity from the region to supply its many customers, this is not guaranteed due to the lack of adequate electricity in the region and the high cost of importing electricity which is likely to me more than the price at which CEC is currently selling to its long term customers.

“Hence, the most realistic vector which CEC will appear to depend on for survival is to charge transmission charges (transmission tariff/wheeling charges).
Gaining full insight in this transmission charge which is also known as wheeling charge or transmission charge and assessing whether it is realistic or not is a matter for the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) which was not part of the engagements unfortunately”, he said.

Mr Chikwanda chikwanda the ERB still remains the best vehicle to adjudicate over tariffs between its licensees in order to maintain stakeholder harmony among players and ensure a fair return on investment for various licensees adding that both Zesco and CEC are ERB’s licensees.

He said in this case, Zesco is only willing to pay a certain amount of transmission charge so that it is able to sell electricity at a profit to the Copperbelt.

Mr Chikwanda chikwanda the amount Zesco is willing to pay may not be the amount CEC wants to charge in order for it to meet its operational requirements, capital expenditure and a fair return on investment hence the challenge.

He said to make matters even more intricate, CEC will also be charged by Zesco for use of Zesco’s transmission infrastructure should CEC resort to importing electricity from the region in order to service its Copperbelt based customers.

Mr Chikwanda said without an independent body to adjudicate and oversee this kind of state of affairs, this matter will go very far and lead to unnecessary challenges. Because of the way both parties have handled each other, there is no trust between them which makes above board negotiations very difficult.

“This is why ERB must be proposed to examine to what each party wants to charge each other for use of its transmission lines. However, ERB is incapacitated due to inadequacies in the current Energy Regulation Board Act”, he said.

“This is the reason I have maintained that the new Energy Regulation Bill of 2019 and the Electricity Bill of 2019 should have now been enacted in to law by now. These Bills when passed into law will solve a lot vexatious challenges and gaps in the electricity sub sector. As of now, ERB is not legally mandated to intervene and set tariffs with regard to Bulk Supply Agreements between Zesco and its big customers which include CEC”, Mr Chikwanda added.

He has however commended government for showing strong praxis of leadership to ensure continued of electricity supply although it is at terms and conditions which CEC appear to be uncomfortable with.

Mr Chikwanda said for the sake of country and given what we currently going through, CEC shoukd allow the electricity to reach the customers while they ignite alternative measures to resolve the impasse.

He said this is a pure case for an independent body to resolve and the sooner it is resolved, the better.

The Food and Nutrition Security Situation will worsen in the flood hit Lunga district-CSUN

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The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance has expressed fear, the Food and Nutrition Security situation will worsen in Lunga district of Luapula Province which is a among the worst hit with malnutrition rate in Zambia due to the flooding that has characterised the area.

CSO-SUN Country Cordinator Mathews Mhuru says failure by the government to quickly clear the water channels has impacted negatively on the agriculture season as maize and cassava fields have all been submerged in water.

Mr Mhuru says his Organisation expect the people of Lunga to harvest nothing this farming season.

He said these floods have left many people vulnerable to hunger and we expect them to start asking for relief food immediately saying this situation could have been avoid had government invested in preventing this calamity through clearing of water channels.

Mr Mhuru said although it is gratifying that President Edgar Lungu took time to inspect the situation and promised to deliver relief food to the affected families, dealing with the root causes of the flooding problem is cardinal in avoiding the situation were people need to survive on relief food.

He said the the current situation should be a wake up call for the Government particularly the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development to quickly find resources to run the dredgers to clear the water channels.

Mr Mhuru said it is unfortunate that failure to clear the canals has made flooding a perennial problem in Lunga and has affected not only the agriculture sector but the movement as well.

He said with the Government currently focusing its energies and resources towards fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Zambian people should consider helping the people of Lunga with food and other requirements to enable them survive this phase in their lives.

Mr Mhuru said the people of Lunga have lost everything and require every form of assistance from food, clothing and others to pass through this stage.

President Lungu flying over the flooded areas in Luapula, Muchinga and Northern Provinces.
President Lungu flying over the flooded areas in Luapula, Muchinga and Northern Provinces.
President Lungu flying over the flooded areas in Luapula, Muchinga and Northern Provinces.
President Lungu flying over the flooded areas in Luapula, Muchinga and Northern Provinces.

No New COVID-19 Case Reported in the last 24 hours in Zambia-Health Minister

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Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya has disclosed that Zambia has not recorded a new COVID-19 case in the last 24 hours.

During the twelfth COVID-19 update Wednesday afternoon Dr Chilufya said no new case has been recorded out of the 99 individuals that underwent testing and the number of confirmed cases still stands at 36.

And Dr. Chilufya has announced that President Edgar Lungu has ordered with immediate effect on the recruitment of 400 doctors as well as 3100 paramedics as a way of enhancing the response towards the fight against the pandemic.

He said the President has gone further to offer incentives to the front line health personnel as a way of motivating the workers who are sacrificing their lives to the coronavirus fight.

“The President has directed extra incentives for the front line health personnel who are heroes and heroines and he is thrilled with your patriotism and hard work towards the Covid-19 fight and stands with you as you wage the fight against the pandemic” Dr. Chilufya assured.

On the status of the cases, Dr. Chilufya said all the people that tested positive are all stable except the critical individual who is on oxygen but not deteriorating.

He disclosed that 5 alerts of possible cases were recorded but tested negative after being isolated and have since been discharged.

And Dr. Chilufya said tests have been expanded to Ndola in order to cater for the northern region.

He said Zambia also continues to respond to the pandemic regionally and these include facilitation of movements, regional trade regulation issues, and business facilitation among others.

He reiterated the need to avoid traveling into or outside Lusaka considering that it is the epicenter of the Coronavirus and discouraged public gatherings while emphasizing the need to adhere to all the laid down health measures to curb the virus and said a scalable plan in relation to the escalation of cases will also be enforced.

Dr. Chilufya said the government remains committed to ensure that the matrix of the ones that tested positive are followed in order to avoid new infections at all costs.

Keep talking and educating each other about COVID 19 despite criticisms, HH urges Zambians

UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema has urged Zambians not to stop talking and educating each other about COVID 19, even amidst criticism by those whose task is to disparage and denounce every worthwhile effort to halt the advancement of the pandemic.

Mr Hichilema has noted with regret that some people are criticizing and disparaging worthwhile effort to halt the advancement of the pandemic.

He said whether by various vehicles of social media or by performing arts, news must be spread about COVID-19.

Mr Hichilema has urged Zambians to play catch up with the cold hard facts of COVID 19, because lessons from other nations that were once where Zambia is, are visible and available for free use.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic has formed a social fabric of humanity and has become a glue which holds society together, one which has helped shape socially cohesive communities despite the disease’s devastating consequences.

Mr Hichilema said the COVID 19 has offered humanity a ‘highly accelerated life test’ in which to fact check resilience and resolve as brothers and sisters’ keepers.

Chef 187 releases video for Grammy Muchibemba

chef 187 performing

Chef 187 released the video for the song Grammy Muchibemba that is off his latest album Bon Appetit.

Zambia asks proposals from banks on how to postpone its debt repayments

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The Zambian government has asked banks for proposals on reorganizing as much as $11.2 billion of foreign debt as its debt-service costs rise and metal prices plunge, hurting its economy.

The country “intends to implement a liability management of its external debt portfolio to lengthen maturity and enhance its capacity to meet debt-service obligations,” the finance ministry said in a request for proposals sent to lenders, seen by Bloomberg and verified by two of the recipients.

The advisers’ mandate would include assisting the government in negotiations with creditors, as well as “formulating restructuring plans for loans” where creditors agree, according to the document.

The request for proposals is part of Zambia’s plan to put in place measures to ensure debt sustainability and deal with liabilities that will become due in the medium term, Finance Ministry Spokesman Chileshe Kandeta said in an emailed response to questions.

“The government has no intention of unilaterally restructuring its debt without consulting creditors,” Kandeta said. “The government will respect agreements and use market-based instruments where applicable.”

The document was sent to lenders including Barclays Plc, Citigroup Inc., Deutsche Bank AG and Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

The ministry also sent it to Greylock Capital Management LLC, an investor in emerging-market distressed debt.

Any restructuring plan will include debt held by multilateral and bilateral lenders, commercial banks, capital-market investors export-credit organizations and others, the document said.

Zambia’s foreign debt amounted to $11.2 billion at the end of 2019.

Zambia’s currency is the world’s worst performer after Brazil’s this year, and foreign-exchange reserves have fallen to a record low and cover less than two months of imports.

Its $3 billion of Eurobonds have been trading at distressed levels, with yields on notes due 2022 rising above 50%. The bonds extended losses Tuesday.

The selected advisers will “review the entire debt-loan portfolio to identify loans that are plausible for liability management,” according to the request for proposals. They will also “formulate restructuring plans for loans where liability management terms have been agreed to by creditors,” and help arrange financing, it said.

Zambia debuted in the Eurobond market in 2012, when low interest rates in the wake of the global recession and the ensuing hunt for yield among investors meant it could borrow more cheaply than Spain at the time.

Two other Eurobond sales followed in 2014 and 2015.

It’s also contracted billions of dollars in loans for infrastructure projects from lenders including Export-Import Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Saudi Fund for Development.

Covid-19 grounds Mahogany Air

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Mahogany Air has announced it has suspended all flights from 30th March to 30th April 2020 in response to the Coronavirus control measures and to join the rest of the country in less contact and observance of staying home.

Company Chief Executive Officer Dr Jim Belemu has noted that since the announcement of the pandemic, the major control measures have been travel restrictions across the globe which put Mahogany like any other airline in the frontline of being negatively affected.

Dr Belemu said Mahogany is open to support flights for any emergency supply that the Ministry of Health may require to move around the country.

In a statement, Dr Belemu said Mahogany flight crew will be on standby to undertake flights as it is everyone’s concern and contribution to prevent and control this disease in Zambia.

Standard Chartered to commit $1 billion of financing for companies to help COVID-19

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Standard Chartered has announced it will commit US$1 billion of financing for companies that provide goods and services to help the fight against Covid-19, and those planning the switch into making products that are in high demand to fight the global pandemic.

Companies in scope include all those associated with helping to tackle Covid-19, including manufacturers and distributors in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare providers, as well as non-medical companies that have volunteered to add this capability to their manufacturing output – goods in scope include ventilators, face masks, protective equipment, sanitizers, and other consumables.

Simon Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking at Standard Chartered, said clearly there’s a cost for companies to switch into these hugely in-demand items, so it’s an area where the Bank can help them get up and running more quickly.

He said at the same time, the Bank wants to make sure that existing manufacturers and service providers get the support they need.

Mr Cooper said the bank intends to provide, at preferential rates, at least US$1 billion of financing to those companies in the form of loans, import/export finance or the working capital facilities that they use for day-to-day business operations to help them tool up, and help existing manufacturers get their products to market.

He said Standard Chartered is also trying to identify companies that may wish to switch into or add anti-virus products to their output but haven’t indicated that they will do so at this stage.

“Our industry teams are looking across our client base and, given our understanding of clients’ current manufacturing processes, we’re assessing which companies might want to consider adding these items to their production line,” he added.

He said All financing will be subject to companies having received regulatory approvals to manufacture the goods.

Mr Cooper said the bank will continue to serve all of its clients during what is a challenging period for all companies, from small businesses to large multinationals.

This is according to a statement issued to the media by Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Head of Corporate Affairs, Branding and Marketing Christine Matambo.