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By ZamChro Correspondent

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR)’s Basic Needs Basket has recorded an increase in the cost of food from K2, 200, 630 in October this year to K2, 254,630 in November, about K54, 000. 

The Basic Needs Basket is a survey that monitors the cost of living for a family of six taking into account basic food commodities and essential non-food commodities. 

According to JCTR, the upward adjustment was mainly influenced by the cost of food items, which increased from K748, 800 to K807, 500. 

A 25kg bag of mealie meal increased on average by K2, 300 from K60, 000 in October to K62, 300 in November.

Other food items with substantial price rises include Siavonga kapenta from K48, 600 to K60, 600 per kg while dry fish increased by K13, 100 from K47, 500 to K60, 600 for the same quantity. 

“This increase could be attributed to seasonality effects making dry products more expensive during the rainy season. Meat and milk also recorded some increase. Minor reductions were recorded in tomatoes, sugar and salt.”  

This was according to a statement released by the organization over the weekend.

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By ZamChro Correspondent

The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has told the business community and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to exploit potential economic generating ventures in Western Province.

ZDA director general Andrew Chipwende said the local community should abandon the notion that Government alone should develop the country and Western Province in particular but work together with the private sector to unlock opportunities in the area.

Mr Chipwende said this during a ZDA Investment and Trade Sensitisation workshop on Friday at Mongu’s Country Lodge.

He said there is need to identify opportunities and challenges to achieve investment needed to create public private partnerships (PPP).

“Unless we realise the aspects that hamper business, such as registration and infrastructure, under the PPP framework, Government in partnership with the private sector should endeavour to undertake developmental projects in various economic sectors,” he said.

Mr Chipwende said one such opportunity will be the growing of rice on a large-scale where value-addition through polishing can be done, thereby creating employment and generating income.

He also said the mango business is another venture that has not been fully exploited, although the Barotse Royal Establishment has indicated it will consider citrus fruits production in Senanga.

Other projects to be considered include a sugar plantation, Irish potatoes and cashew nuts growing because of the suitable soil and climate.

He said a feasibility study was undertaken by a South African firm that recommended that the soil and climate in Sesheke district was conducive for growing high quality sugarcanes likely to surpass the Caribbean tonnage per hectare.

“A team from South African firm PGI was contracted to do a feasibility study in this province and revelations were that sugarcane grown in Sesheke area could yield about 120,000 tonnes per hectare compared to 40,000 in the Caribbean,” he said.

He said with the sugar free quotas granted to member states by the European Union (EU), Zambia can significantly benefit in foreign exchange earnings, adding that ethanol can be used to co-generate power to minimise the current power deficit.

Mr Chipwende also called for business linkages and initiative for projects to succeed and have an economic spiral effect on the welfare of the locals.

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By ZamChro Correspondent

Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has warned that the economic empowerment funds will continue to be perceived as an elitist fund unless the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) simplifies the application procedures.

Commenting on the disbursements of the funds after touring selected districts, CSPR provincial liaison and advocacy programme officer William Chilufya said most people were upset because they could not access the funds.

“The CEEC knows the challenges people face when filling in the application forms and yet nothing is being done and the funds are now appearing to be funds for the elite, for example, if it is Southern Province why can’t CEEC translate the language on the forms into Tonga and similar translations can be done in other regions so that the intended people are able to access these funds,” said Chilufya.

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By ZamChro Correspondent

Former Republican President Kenneth Kaunda says there is urgent need for Zambia and China to increase bilateral trade and co-operation to uplift the living standards of people in the two countries.

Dr Kaunda said enhanced co-operation in trade and investment will further help the two countries to address the high poverty levels and contribute to attainment of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

Dr Kaunda said this in Lusaka after Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Li Qiangmin conferred the Sino-Africa Friendship Award on him during a breakfast to celebrate the conclusion of the fourth ministerial conference of the China-Africa Co-operation.

He said Zambia and China should increase bilateral co-operation in mining, tourism, manufacturing and agriculture to help promote sustainable development between the two countries.

Dr Kaunda said he is concerned that the cordial relations are between the two countries’ political leadership instead of being promoted to ensure that even the people at grassroots start benefiting.

“The two Governments must strive to put in place effective mechanisms that will ensure that even people from the grassroots start to benefit from this co-operation. This will help us to reduce poverty and raise the living standards of people,” he said.

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By ZamChro Correspondent

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says the minimum wage should be reflective of the high cost of living.

JCTR co-ordinator of the social conditions programme, Miniva Chibuye has urged Government to consider revising the minimum wage by taking into account the inflation annual indexing to avoid eroding the purchasing power of the real wages.

Ms Chibuye said Zambia is faced with a double burden of high unemployment and underemployment as expressed by consistently low employment generation and low average incomes.

“This duality breeds higher poverty and hardship in many households,” she said.

In a statement, Ms Chibuye said it was becoming clear that formal employment has failed to grow to a level where it can absorb more labour going by the 400,000 people in formal employment out of a labour force of about 6,000,000.

“The perception is that the situation has worsened as a result of the global economic crisis.

This is against the backdrop of proclamations of increased sustained economic growth and employment creation in documents such as the 2002 – 2004 Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and the 2006 – 2010 Fifth National Development Plan,” she said.

Ms Chibuye said there is an increasing divergence in the cost of living and income levels.

She cited the cost of basic needs for an average family of six in Lusaka as measured by the JCTR’s Basic Needs Basket for October 2009 which amounted to K2,200,630.

Ms Chibuye said the low income levels have been worsened by the inadequate basic pay currently at K268,800.

She said taking into account notable allowances such as lunch, transport and housing, the lowest category of worker in Zambia should be paid a minimum monthly wage of K500,000.

She said at the current high cost of living, the minimum wage is not sufficient to even cover the cost of basic food alone amounting to K748, 800 in October.

“It is difficult for many Zambians especially the poor to rent decent houses, meet the required nutrition, afford quality health care, quality education and meet the cost of utilities such as electricity and water,” she said.

Ms Chibuye said revision of the minimum wage would have substantial impact on the poor.

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By ZamChro Correspondent

Bank of Zambia says Zambia’s international reserves, now standing at US$ 1.7 billion, are the highest attained in the last 38 years.

Bank of Zambia Governor Caleb Fundanga said international reserves are expected to rise to about five months of import cover by the end of 2009. Dr Fundanga said this in Lusaka yesterday.

He said international reserves stood at US$1.4 billion before Zambia was hit by the global financial crisis.

“Having adequate reserves is important because if there is any external shock, the reserves can help to stabilise the Kwacha and cover up imports,” he said.

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By ZamChro Correspondent

The Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) has welcomed Government’s intention to float its newly acquired 50 percent Total International shares in Indeni Petroleum Refinery to a private equity partner.

EAZ president Mwilola Imakando said yesterday that Government should withdraw from doing business and concentrate on regulation, monitoring and policy formulation.

“Government should not be in business; it should only step in when there are problems to try and resolve any impasse,” he said.

Dr Imakando said Government should now find a strategic partner to buy the 50 percent shares.

He said Government’s withdrawal from public business should be in line with the privatisation programme.

Dr Imakando said it is pointless to own a company that will only result in carrying on liabilities.

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By ZamChro Correspondent

People should reduce their expenditure during the upcoming festive season as excessive expenditure may affect the attainment of the targeted 10 per cent inflation rate, Bank of Zambia (BoZ) governor Dr Caleb Fundanga advised yesterday.

During the BoZ third quarter media briefing, Dr Fundanga said inflation pressures in the country were expected to come from beef products and increase from manufactured goods as a result of increase in electricity tariffs.

However, he said stable mealie-meal and vegetable prices coupled with serenity in the foreign exchange market was expected to mitigate the inflationary pressures.

“If we buy more sugar, more bread during the upcoming festive season, this is going to have an effect on inflation, so that is one thing we should be mindful about,” Dr Fundanga said.

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By ZamChro Correspondent

Labour Minster Austin Liato has said a technical committee has been put in place to review the minimum wage which currently stands at K268, 000.

Liato said the committee which comprised stakeholders from trade unions, Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) and government officials from the Ministry of Labour were expected to conclude discussions by the end of this year.

“Reviewing the current minimum wage is something we have taken seriously, genuine and close to our heart as government and we thought that we could not wait any longer but move forward,” he said.

Liato assured that conditions for the lowest paid workers would change by next year owing to the planned revision of the minimum wage.

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By ZamChro Correspondent

Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane has said Government has been discussing with donors who have indicated that they will next month make their position known on funding the budget. He added that Government was optimistic that the donor community will meet its obligation of providing funding to the 2010 national budget.

Dr Musokotwane said this in Lusaka yesterday when he and other officials from his ministry appeared before the Parliamentary Expanded Committee on Estimates, chaired by Bweengwa MP Highvie Hamududu.

Among those who accompanied Dr Musokotwane were Secretary to the Treasury Likolo Ndalamei and Zambia Revenue Authority commissioner general Chriticles Mwansa.

Dr Musokotwane said chances are that donors will provide Government with the money towards the implementation of the 2010 national budget.

He said this in response to a question from Kabwata MP Given Lubinda (PF), who wanted to know whether there is a guarantee that donors will provide the 30 per cent budgetary support to the 2010 national budget.

Dr Musokotwane said the only sector to which donors are withholding funding is the Ministry of Health.

He said the withholding of funding to the Ministry of Health was as a result of criminality by some civil servants and not bad governance.

“We have had a good record of governance as a country and you will agree with me that the happenings in the Ministry of Health have nothing to do with governance. Rather it is due to criminality by some individuals.

“As Government, we cannot guarantee but we are hopeful that money for budget support will be forthcoming but ultimately, it is up to the donors to decide on that matter,” he said.

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