Metro

Zambian govt bans exportation of maize feeds amid drought

Published

8 months ago

March 10, 2024

The Zambian government has prohibited the exportation of feeds with ingredients from maize as it plans to conduct a maize harvest audit to inform the nation the extent of damage caused by the ongoing drought in the country.

Chief Government spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, who disclosed this during the weekly government/media engagement in Livingstone, Southern Province, on Saturday, said government took the step as part of measures to mitigate the drought which President Hakainde Hichilema declared as a disaster and an emergency.

Speaking at the forum, Mweetwa said government is also putting in place other measures including upscaling the production of maize to mitigate the drought situation.

“Government has re-aligned the budget and will channel more resources towards humanitarian relief interventions and commercial farmers are being encouraged to venture into contract farming to produce winter maize,” Mweetwa stated.

He added that the government will also introduce tax waivers on irrigation facilities so as to make it easier for them to be imported into the country.

“Government, through the Committee of Ministers on Disaster Management led by the Vice President and through Cabinet, agreed to introduce a tax waiver on irrigation equipment that has to be imported in the country immediately,” the minister said.

Mweetwa also stated that the government was engaging local and international partners to offer support in whatever form available to provide the needed relief.

“The Government of Republic of Tanzania has officially communicated to Zambian government of its availability to export maize to Zambia.”

Mweetwa further stated that Uganda had also indicated that it had produced sufficient maize which it was willing and ready to export to Zambia.

He, however, indicted that the importation of maize from other countries would only happen after the Food Reserve Agency ( FRA) mops up all the locally produced maize to ensure that government’s money revolves within the local economy.

Related Topics:Exportation Featured Maize Prohibition Zambia

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

14 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.