BRIEFCASE is happy to learn from various stakeholders, including Japanese Ambassador Kiyoshi Koinuma that Zambia is still an attractive business destination despite the current economic challenges the country was going through.
While the country is going through problems of Kwacha depreciation, increased loadshedding and the rising inflation, stakeholders are saying these problems are not unique to Zambia and the country is still an attractive investment destination.
This means there is hope for the country and Zambians must not give up but maintain the country as an attractive investment destination.

Kudos to the President

Recent intervention by President Edgar Lungu in the escalating mealie meal prices by the release of a consignment of maize to millers by the FRA should be commended.
Maize meal is Zambia’s staple food and the escalating prices of the commodity will badly hit most of the citizens if it is not controlled.
The President should also be commended for taking a personal interest to monitor market trends of mealie meal and expecting them to start going down.
This will save a lot of Zambians who depend on the commodity for survival.

Germany’s pledge welcome

Briefcase would like to welcome Germany’s pledge to offer concessional and promotional loans to boost electricity production in Zambia.
This offer could not have come at a better time than now when Zambia is grappling with a power deficit.
The lack of adequate power has crippled most of the industry in the country and paralysed some small and medium enterprises.

Metal exports slow down

By JUDITH NAMUTOWE
ZAMBIA’s metal exports in September 2015, slowed down to K3,627.4 million from K3,967.3 million  which was recorded in August the same year.
Central Statistics officer John Kalumbi said the reduction in metal exports represents  8.6 per cent.
“The overall contribution of metals and their products to the total export earnings in September and August 2015, averaged 72.4 per cent.
There was a decrease in the exports of Non Tradition Exports (NTEs) from K1,443.4 million in August 2015 to K1,441.7 million in September 2015,” Mr Kalumbi explained.
He said the share of NTEs recorded an average of 27.6 per cent in revenue earnings between September and August 2015.