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ADB, ZANACO sign US$10m loan agreement for SMEs sector in Zambia.

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The African Development Bank (ADB) and Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) have signed a US$10 million credit line agreement meant to improve the financial status of the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector in Zambia.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lusaka yesterday, ADB Resident Representative Freddie Kwesiga called for enhanced private public partnership in the SME sector for the betterment of the country.

Mr. Kwesiga said this is because the SMEs sector plays an important role in stimulating economic growth of the country.

He however, noted that this can only be achieved through deepening financial and technical assistance for those that are already in or wishing to join the industry.

He said the improved financial support can enhance the capacity of local SMEs therefore making them ready to compete favourably even on the international market.

Mr. Kwesiga added that the loan, which will cover infrastructure development, good governance, agriculture and manufacturing sectors, is likely to benefit SMEs from both rural and urban areas.

He pointed out that there is also need for stakeholders in the country to address both the financial and non-financial requirements of the SMEs throughout the country.

Mr. Kwesiga further urged ZANACO bank to make the loan accessible to all the people wishing to invest in the SME sector and even those that already have established business.

And ZANACO Managing Director Mark Wiessing has disclosed that his bank currently has over 20,000 SME customers.

Mr. Wiessing said last year ZANACO’s loan book performed well hence benefiting clients despite the global economic crisis that hit many countries in the world.

He stressed that the bank’s decision to focus on SMEs and agriculture sectors when sourcing for loans with other cooperating partners was aimed at making these sectors contribute significantly to the revenue collection of the country.

He pointed out that it was the duty of the private sector to add value to the economy of the country in which they are operating.

Mr. Wiessing added that in an effort to promote foreign currency funding sources, the loan will be considered as part of the ZANACO’s strategy to encourage diversification in foreign currency funding.

He has since pledged his bank’s continued initiatives of encouraging more investment in the SME sector through developing programmes that will cater for SMEs in different businesses.

The loan between ADB and ZANACO will be repaid over a period of ten years.

ZANIS

COMESA and ECOWAS sign MoU to enhance private sector development

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Comesa Secretary-general Sindiso Ngwenya

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) to enhance private sector development in the two regions.

The MoU was signed by COMESA General Secretary Sindiso Ngwenya and ECOWAS President Dr. Mohamed Chambas on January 29, 2010 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday by COMESA Secretariat, the MoU was also signed to advance regional economic integration towards attaining the African Economic Community (AEC).

The key areas of cooperation in the MoU range from private sector development including women in business and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to implementing food and nutrition security with a focus on implementing Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

It is also expected that the visibility and participation of women in business will be advanced as this is crucial to creating employment and increasing household incomes while effectively contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction.

The MoU will also give an opportunity to member states to share experiences and to collaborate in the establishment of common positions on matters of international trade and investments negotiations.

Both COMESA and ECOWAS are recognized Regional Economic Communities (REC) working towards realizing AEC as envisaged by Lagos Plan of Action, through utilization of resources for the benefit of member states.

ZANIS

I will continue respecting Former Presidents-Rupiah Banda

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Presidentn Rupiah Banda

President Rupiah Banda has said he will continue to respect former presidents and other leaders in the country.
The President said this yesterday when he touched down at Mansa Airport, before departing for Chienge where he is starting a three-day tour of Luapula Province.

President Banda has said that there is no way Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata will force him to hate former president Frederick Chiluba. President Banda said that everyone in the country knows that Mr Sata used to be a close friend to Dr Chiluba, but now Mr Sata sees nothing good in the former president. He said Mr Sata hates Dr Chiluba and wants him ( President Banda) to also dislike Dr Chiluba.

However, the President said he will not hate Dr Chiluba and will continue to invite him to state functions at State House like he has been doing to Dr Kenneth Kaunda. “President Chiluba was a very close friend of Mr Sata. Everybody knows that but today Mr Sata doesn’t see any good in President Chiluba. So he wants me also to be like him, to hate President Chiluba. I shall not do that,” President Banda said.

He said as President of the country he has a duty of bringing everybody together, and will not be like those who are everyday looking for bad things they can use to attack former leaders. “Those who want to separate these leaders it is their own business. I will not be like them who everyday are looking for bad things they will use to attack these leaders,” he said.

And on PF-UPND Pact, President Rupiah Banda said the two political parties went into the arrangement because they are scared of him. He said the Pact was formed with only one thing in mind that of removing him from state house. He said as President of the MMD he does not need a political pact with another political party to defeat the PF-UPND pact because he has a pact with the Zambian people. He said the MMD was still intact and its MPs have remained united since they were elected to parliament.

President Banda observed that the situation is different in the opposition camp, with MPs in the PF deeply divided due to the leadership that does not want to listen to their intelligent advice on how the country must move forward. He said 50 percent of the PF MPs are also finding it difficult to remain and work together due to bad leadership.

“These are very intelligent people, people with integrity. But because of bad leaders that do not want to listen to their advice on how they should move forward they are now divided,” he said. On the UPND case, President Banda said the MPs solidarity in the opposition party was quickly diminishing due to unwise leadership.

Speaking earlier, Luapula province MMD chairman Chrispin Musosha said that the PF-UPND pact was going to crumble soon because it was an arrangement entered into by presidents of the two political parties without the blessing of their general membership. Mr Musosha said pact was headed for a serious split because of the confusing arising from failure by PF and UPND to consult its general membership before going into marriage.
Mr Musosha also said that the MMD was ready to take on the PF-UPND pact.

He informed President Banda that the MMD is regaining ground in the Luapula province after losing 10 parliamentary seats in the last elections. Mr Musosha, who is also deputy minister of science and technology, said this paradigm shift in the political support from the opposition to the ruling party is as a result of a number of developmental projects that the government is implementing.

ZANIS

UNIP-NRF to work with UPND-PF pact

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UPND_PF_PACT

The United National Independence Party National Revival Forum (UNIP-NRF) has pledged to work with the United Party National Development-Patriotic Front (UPND-PF) pact in a bid to strengthen the opposition alliance.

UNIP-NRF Chairperson Malimba Masheke said the revival forum consulted the UPND-PF pact on the matter before deciding to work with it.

General Masheke, who disclosed the development at a press bring in Lusaka today, however pointed out that the UNIP-NRF will remain independent even as it works with the UPND-PF Pact.

He said the decision to work with the UPND-PF pact was a way of exploring means through which the forum would contribute to efforts of providing a serious alternative to good governance.

General Masheke, who is also former Prime Minister, said the UNIP-NRF decided to work with the UPND-PF because of its (pact) vision for leadership.

He emphasized that the UPND-PF pact must be guarded jealously and urged the UNIP-NRF members to remain resolute, steadfast and united in working with the pact.

UNIP president Tilyenji Kaunda with his deputy Njekwa Anamela (r)

And speaking at the same press briefing, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema expressed happiness at the decision by the UNIP-NRF to support and work with the pact.

Mr. Hichilema said the UNIP-NRF’s decision to work with the UPND-PF pact was the right step in the right direction.

He said there was need to work together regardless of where one is from adding that this would strengthen the relationship between the UPND-PF pact and the UNIP-NRF.

And Zambia’s former Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Adrian Bauleni and a Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) member David Kasanga have joined the UPND.

ZANIS

Kalulushi MP Atton Simama denies abuse of the Constituency Development Funds.

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Kalulushi Member of Parliament Atton Simama has denied allegations that he abused the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) allocated to his constituency last year.

Mr. Simama says Kalulushi constituency was allocated about K400 million, most of which was used to build community health centres and construct bridges in the area.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that those accusing him of misusing the CDF were being malicious.
He explained that when the CDF for 2009 was released, a CDF Committee was constituted and approved a number of projects in the area and a budget was drawn.

Mr. Simama said after the meeting with the CDF Committee, the proposal was taken to the District Development Committee and a full council meeting was called to approve the budget.

“These councilors are malicious, I have information that some of these councilors want to stand as Members of Parliament for Kalulushi Constituency and they want to malign me in the eyes of members of the public that I have failed as area member of parliament,” revealed Mr. Simama.

He added that the allegation is a total fabrication, stating that all the people who attended the full Council meeting were happy about the resolutions which he said had blessings from the residents in the area.

However, a Kalulushi businessman, Mr. Kenny Siachisumo, who was franked by all councilors in Kalulushi constituency last week accused the area MP of not taking any development in the constituency and called for his resignation.

He said from the time Mr. Simama decided to attend the NCC in deviance of his party, he has never visited the constituency for fear of being beaten by the community who have since resolved to petition him to visit the area instead of staying in Lusaka.

Mr. Siachisumo stated that come 2011, people of Kalulushi are geared to vote out the alleged non-performing Member of Parliament so as to usher in one who will show seriousness in developing the constituency.

ZANIS/

Kunda directs Finance, Local Govt, Home Affairs and Community Development Ministers to go on aerial tour of Lusaka floods

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Part of the Flooded Great North Road in Lusaka
Vice President George Kunda has directed the Ministers of Finance, Local Government, Home Affairs and Community Development to conduct an aerial view of the floods in Lusaka district in order for them to appreciate the extent of problem in the province.

Mr. Kunda told ZANIS in an interview that doing so will make the ministers understand the complexity of the situation and move them to work out measures to promptly address the problem.

He said government was committed to address the floods head on hence it has developed new measures to counter the situation not only in Lusaka but countrywide.

He explained that when President Rupiah Banda was Vice President, he developed several structures in a bid to mitigate the flood situation in the country.

One of the houses surrounded by water in Lusaka's Kanyama twonship. This was after heavy rains that besieged Lusaka recently
One of the houses surrounded by water in Lusaka's Kanyama twonship. This was after heavy rains that besieged Lusaka recently
Mr. Kunda, who had an aerial vie of floods in Lusaka yesterday, said the country has structures that would help government to effectively address the floods.

He said government will remain focused in addressing the floods so as to prevent loss of life and outbreaks of water borne diseases.

Since the onset of the current rain season, floods are said to have claimed six lives in Lusaka while some schools and houses have been submerged in water.

Three of the deaths were recorded in Ng’ombe compound while the other three occurred in Mandevu compound.

Government, through the Lusaka District Disaster Management Team has since mobilized equipment to pump out the water in affected areas.

ZANIS

Renard has not applied for a job in Tanzania – Mwanza

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National soccer team head coach Herve Renard arrives at Football House for a press briefing where he said he has not yet decided to renew his contract when it expires in May this year

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Communications Officer Erick Mwanza says it is wrong for people to assert that National Team Coach Herve Renard applied for a job in Tanzania.

Mwanza said it was unfortunate that despite the coach stating categorically that he has not held any kind of negotiations with any team, people are still speculating about his future.

He said it was important that people learn to tell the truth and not just make assumptions.

Mwanza said Renard was a forthright and honest man who he said had good communication with the country’s soccer governing body and could not do anything without consulting FAZ officials.

The FAZ Communications Officer told a press briefing in Lusaka today that there was nothing wrong with Renard been ambitious and wanting to scale up his coaching profile, saying it was within his rights to do.

He said it was normal that after putting up a splendid performance at the just ended 2010 Orange Africa cup of nations that many teams could be courting him for his services, adding that Renard had no control over that aspect.

Renard and his Assistant coach Patrice Baumelle are currently in France for a two weeks leave and are expected back into the country soon.

Mwanza disclosed that Chipolopolo assistant coach Patrice Baumelle who is also the teams physical trainer, left the country on Saturday while Head Coach Herve Renard left the country on Monday, this week.

And Mwanza has said FAZ would seek quality friendlies for the Chipolopolo boys during the international friendly games scheduled to commence on March 3.

He explained that good friendlies will help keep the team and players in good shape and give the technical bench an opportunity to access and try different players so that the team continues to improve its FIFA rankings.

Mwanza also said FAZ will do everything possible to assist Chipolopolo Midfielder Rainford Kalaba in whatever way it can for the player to join his new club, Zamalek.

He said it was important for the player’s future as well as the nation that the player is at his club and is playing.

Meanwhile, Mwanza has disclosed that the inspection of stadiums and other playing grounds on the Copperbelt have successfully been concluded and that the inspection team is now in Lusaka and would conduct the same exercise from today (Wednesday) up to Friday.

FAZ has also expressed optimism that Zambia’s envoys in this year’s Orange CAF Champions League Zanaco Football Club would put up a splendid performance against Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) of Uganda.

“As FAZ we are optimistic that Zanaco FC will do well. The team left the country in high spirit and we are sure they will post a good result against their rivals”, he said.

He called on soccer fans all over the country to rally behind the team so that the players can be motivated to focus and work hard on the pitch.

ZANIS

Faz Must Issue London Fiasco Apology in 14 Days, NSCZ

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The National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) has given Faz 14 days to publish a public apology in the national press following last year’s London fiasco.

NCSZ spokesperson Smart Mwitwa said at a press briefing in Lusaka Wednesday afternoon that should Faz fail to comply, the sports watchdog will swiftly act on Football House.

“We wrote to Faz on 13 November, 2009 advising them that the case bed published in the print media with a suitable apology, Mwita said.

“That is to hold a press conference to apologize to the Zambian people over the friendly football match played between the Zambia and Ghanaian national team.

“Also to draw a list of lessons learnt in the London trip so that we could share this with other sports associations to avoid recurrence of such unfortunate saga.

“We regret to inform the nation and other stakeholders that our directive has not been compiled with.

“As you may be aware we wrote this letter of instruction to Faz to apologize at the height of preparation and eventually the participation of the national team in the Africa Cup in Angola.”

Mwita said NSCZ thought it only fair to wait until the team and officials returned from Angola to follow-up on the directive handed to Faz.

He said an official letter was sent by the NSCZ to Faz on February 5 to find out how far Football House had gone with the directive from last November.

“Now that the team and officials have come back and settled, we expected them to respond to the directive,” Mwitwa said.

“However, on 5 February 2010 we did send a letter reminding them (Faz) on their responsibility to act on the NSCZ letter and we have given them an ultimatum of 14 days effective the date of the letter in which to act.

“If they choose not to cooperate, the NSCZ will not hesitate to exercise the powers vested in it by the provisions of the NSCZ Act.

“This is a timely warning to FA and we only hope the Sports Council will not be stretched to that end.”

On August 12 last year, Zambia played Ghana in a friendly at Brisbane Road but struggled to raise a team after Faz failed to secure visa’s for 10 players.

This forced Faz to scale England at the last minute and drafted three UK-based part-timers to play in the match.

Zambia lost that match 4-1.

Give loans to Civil Servants-Dora Siliya

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Education minister Dora Siliya
Education Minister Dora Siliya

Government has challenged the Banking sector to take advantage of the large number of teachers by offering them long-term mortgages for house construction.

Education minister said banks and other financial institutions should expand their businesses by introducing mortgages targeting teachers.

During a consultation meeting with teachers drawn from all the schools in Mansa district yesterday, Ms. Siliya said Banks should initiate long term low interest loans for teachers and other government workers to help them construct accommodation and venture into economic activities.

“There is a wide clientele of teachers and other government workers out there for banks and other financial institution to exploit by initiating mortgages or low interest loans. This will help our teachers build houses and you will have your businesses grow,” the ministerr said.

She said many teachers in the country were lacking accommodation because of shortage of staff houses for them.

The Minister noted that initiating mortgages and low interest loans will help a large number of teachers without accommodation construct houses and in turn benefit the banks through the interests and proceeds on the loans.

She said she will soon engage with the banking sector in the country to look at possibilities for them to partners with the ministry of education to construct houses for teachers.

However, Ms Siliya said government will continue providing funding to the education sector for construction of teachers houses countrywide.

“This Ministry has 3.4 trillion in this year’s budget of which a chunk will go towards infrastructure construction among them staff houses and schools so government is committed to providing decent accommodation for teachers”, Ms. Siliya said.

She said last year the Ministry of Education (MoE) constructed over 280 housing units for teachers countrywide.

The minister disclosed that the country only has about 31,000 housing units for teachers which are not enough to accommodate the total establishment of 80,000 teachers in the country.

And Ms. Siliya has said there is need for continuous and sustainable investment in the education sector by training of more teachers and construction of infrastructure.

She said government will phase out the certificate teacher qualification as a minimum qualification and replace it with a diploma by 2013 to improve the teaching standards in the country.

Ms. Siliya called on all teachers currently holding certificates to upgrade their education to diploma level which will be the minimum qualification required for the teaching service.

In 2014 government will only engage teachers holding diploma or degree qualifications.

She also said starting this year government will upgrade 6000 diploma holders to degrees of which 3000 will be for Science and Mathematics.

The minister said government has realized that science and mathematics are crucial for development and economic growth. Noted we have built so many schools but not teacher’s houses.

ZANIS

Ndalamei urges youths to be innovative

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Government has urged the youth in the country to be innovative and establish their own businesses as a way of contributing to the development of the country.

Deputy Minister for Youth and Child Development, Mundia Ndalamei reiterated that government would always supplement the efforts of young people who are industrious.

Mr. Ndalamei said government will continue to provide grants to youths, whom he said were the most productive personnel, in order to promote their programmes in the country.

He said this in Lusaka today after a familiarization tour of Kalingalinga Youth Resource Centre.

He was accompanied by Maynard Misapa, who is in charge of sports in the same ministry.

And Kalingalinga Youth Resource Centre Principal Ben Sambambi said the institution was determined to offer skills to youths in Lusaka.

Mr. Sambambi said the institution trains a total of 300 students every year in entrepreneurship courses such as food production, carpentry and joinery, tailoring, and computer courses.

ZANIS

Chief Mwanachingwala threatens to expose dubious businessmen

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Chief Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka has threatened to expose a cartel of senior managers at Zambia Sugar Company who have allegedly teamed up to interfere with the awarding of contracts to the Mazabuka Business Association.

Chief Mwanachingwala told ZANIS in Mazabuka that he will expose the names of the staff and business persons to President Banda when he visits him soon to teach them a bitter lesson not to engage in dubious activities.

The Chief added that he is fully aware of the tension rising concerning contracts and threats being targeted at Corporate Affairs Manager, Lovemore Sievu by selfish individuals who don’t want small scale contractors to benefit from contracts and supply of goods and services at Zambia Sugar Company.

The traditional leader stressed that he will not be used by business persons to lobby government to intervene in the new strict procurement procedure which has disadvantaged them.

Chief Mwanachingwala said there is need for big companies to conduct business with small and medium entrepreneurs because of the important role they play in improving the economy.

” I will not accept to be used and dumped after the business persons have achieved what they want. Previously I have been used to speak against Zambia Sugar Company but not any more,” Chief Mwanachingwala said.

Yesterday, the MMD in Mazabuka also voiced their concern and supported the move taken by Zambia Sugar Company to award contracts to the business association and not individual traders.

District Vice chairperson, Takawira Mahere said the move is welcome because it aims at empowering small scale business houses that have been struggling to survive owing to unfair business by Zambia Sugar Company.

Under the new system, all traders, contractors seeking to conduct business with Zambia Sugar Company should be registered members of the district business association.

The company will then award contracts to the association which will in turn allocate contracts to the members based on their capability to handle the projects.
ZANIS

Office Orderly handling labour disputes in Mazabuka

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An office orderly at the Mazabuka Labour Office is allegedly manning and handling labour disputes raising serious concerns in the district.

Mazabuka District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba disclosed this to Principle Labour Officer, Joseph Musonda from the Ministry of Labour in Lusaka noting that there is urgent need for the ministry to address the issue of manpower to mitigate the problem.

Mr Hamaamba noted that the office orderly is not competent enough to handle labour disputes hence the need for quick intervention.

He complained that his office has equally been turned into a labour office as most sensitive cases were being referred there.

Mr Hamaamba said there is need for a competent officer to be permanently stationed at the office to handle the many labour disputes in the district coming mainly from commercial farms.

He said cases of abuse of workers rights particularly those from farms need urgent solutions by the labour office. He added that his office cannot handle labour matters daily.

ZANIS

2010 Zoom Charity Shield Draws

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The draws for the 2010 Samuel “Zoom” Ndhlovu Charity Shield that kicks off on February 20 were announced today in Lusaka.

Defending champions Power Dynamos will face Green Buffaloes in the semifinals.

In the other semifinal, 2009 league champions Zanaco will come face-to-face against his former club Zesco United.

Interestingly, that match will pit Zanaco coach Wedson Nyirenda against his former charges Zesco.

Power will face Buffaloes on the Copperbelt while Zanaco and Zesco will clash in Lusaka.
Both semifinal venues will be announced later as will the final that will take place on March 6.

UNIP Revival Forum endorses PF/UPND Pact

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UNIP Revival Forum leader General Malimba Masheke has urged Zambians to guard the UPND/PF Pact with a sense of jealousy.
General Malimba Masheke said this in Lusaka when he announced his decision to work with the Pact during a press briefing at the UPND secretariat.

He said the pact is the only solution to the difficulties and challenges the county is facing.

Gen Masheke said the MMD has lost direction and that it is up to the Zambian people to make the right choice and decision by supporting the Pact.

He states that the UNIP revival forum has not been fused into the UPND but has only decided to work with the Pact through the UPND.

General Masheke adds there is need to rebuild the country’s economic sector which says has been destroyed during the MMD government’s stay in power.
And in welcoming the UNIP faction’s support for the Pact UPND president Hakainde Hichilema said his party will always welcome support from political parties with grassroots support.
QFM

Magande denies ever endorsing RB as MMD’s sole presidential candidate

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Former Minister of Finance Ng’andu Magande says he was not part of the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that endorsed President Rupiah Banda as the sole candidate at the forthcoming National Convention.

Reacting to MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga who said he was part of the MMD National Executive Committee that received and endorsed petitions from provincial committees that President Banda be the sole candidate at the National Convention, Mr Magande has blatantly refused being part of any such meeting.

Mr Magande who is also MMD Chilanga Member of Parliament has since challenged Mr Mabenga to produce the minutes of the meeting to show that he was part of the said meeting that endorsed Mr Banda as the sole candidate.

QFM