Airtel Zambia Spreads love through program dubbed “12 days of Christmas”

 Airtel Zambia Spreads love through program dubbed “12 days of Christmas”

By Daily News Reporter

Through a program dubbed ’12 Days of Christmas” staff of Airtel Zambia across the ten provinces have shared assorted goods with chosen vulnerable old people’s homes and orphanages.

With over K150,000 spent, staff in each province chose one orphanage or home where they took an assortment of goods which included mealie meal, soya chunks, rice, footballs, skipping ropes and washing powder to name but a few.

On the Copperbelt, the staff visited “Face of a Child Orphanage’ in Twapia, Ndola that has 39 children under the matron madam Chingunbe who expressed happiness at the surprise visit from Airtel staff.

In Southern Province, the staff visited the ‘Holy Family Orphanage’ in Monze which was founded in 2006 and hosts over 500 children.

Airtel Interim Managing Director, Mr. Hussam Baday said as everyone was commemorating the season of giving, it was imperative that companies also give back whatever little to the communities that they serve.

“We have run the “12 days of Christmas program” for the last 3 years and the staff are the ones who choose where to go to share and spread some love and joy. It’s a very humbling experience and we will continue to grow this program each year and have more of our staff involved as they are the ones that drive it,” Baday Said.

 

MIRACLE OF HOPE SHARES FESTIVE SEASON WITH CANCER PATIENTS AT UTH

By Daily News Reporter

 

In their spirit of giving and remembering the needy and sick, Miracle of Hope donated various hampers to Cancer Disease Hospital at University Teaching Hospital (UTH) to help the patients celebrate Christmas in style.

 

Speaking during at the handover ceremony in Lusaka Miracle of Hope Administrative Manager Packsina Mpundu Mupezeni stated that the foundation donated 40 care buckets for the male ward and 50 gift baskets for the pediatric ward.

 

She also said that Miracle of Hope is a none profit making organization which is operating as A Non - Governmental Organization supporting cancer patients and survivors.

 

“This donation will help out especially this festive period when cancer patients as well as survivors are also looking forward to merry even in the hospitals,” Mpezeni said.

 

"Giving is lending to God, and the hand that gives is more blessed than the one that receives, hence the need to promote the culture of giving helping out the needy in society," she encouraged.

 

Meanwhile, Cancer Diseases Hospitals Representative Charles Daka expressed gratitude for the kind gesture shown by Miracles of Hope which he said will put a smile at the faces of the many patients that are also in despair.

“The hampers will go a long way in mitigating challenges cancer patients and survivors from the health facilities face on a daily basis especially food and soaps.” She added.

Airtel Africa registers its 150 million customers.

 Airtel Africa registers its 150 million customers.

By Daily News Reporter

Airtel Africa has registered its 150 millionth customer. Airtel Africa through many areas it has given its services to millions of people access to reliable and high-quality digital and mobile money services, often for the first time. Led by the purpose of transforming lives, connecting 150 million customers is a significant milestone that underscores the company's commitment to enriching the lives of its customers. 

Looking forward, Airtel Africa is focused on further expansion, increased innovation, and continued investments to ensure a digitally empowered future for all.

The growth reflects Airtel Africa’s commitment to reaching more people, with more services, in more places than ever before. By bringing mobile banking, data, and telecoms to underserved communities across sub-Saharan Africa, Airtel Africa is driving financial and digital inclusion and helping to unlock the potential of people, businesses, and societies.

In response to the increased demand for accessible and affordable services, Airtel Africa is continuing to expand its network and invest in the future through fiber and 5G. This is supported by new, best-in-class digital products, services, and content.

Airtel Africa’s Group CEO, Segun Ogunsanya, would like to thank each one of the stakeholders for

their continued commitment and support in helping the company reach this milestone. But as

everyone knows, this is just the beginning of a journey that will see many more milestones in the

coming years.

WATCH OUT NON-COMPLIANT TEACHERS- Dr Mubanga

 

WATCH OUT NON-COMPLIANT TEACHERS- Dr Mubanga

 

By Daily News Reporter

 

The Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) has said that it will prosecute all non-compliant teachers effective January 2024.

Speaking to the media in Lusaka, Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) Registrar, Dr. Ebby Mubanga said all registered teachers must be licensed as stipulated in the Teaching Profession Act Number 5 of 2013.

And Dr Mubanga said seventy to eighty percent of the 220, 000 registered teachers are licensed while thirty percent are not.

He has further called on head teachers in all schools to ensure that teachers are compliant by getting registered and licensed.

Dr Mubanga has also clarified that the list circulating on social media in Kawambwa, sent by the Kasama TCZ office, is not a recruitment list but a list of non-compliant teachers in the district.

“A list of non-compliant teachers was sent to all districts so that all districts would check on the compliance status of its teachers. So, when the list was picked up by a member of public in Kawambwa, they associated the list with recruitment but that has nothing to do with recruitment but everything to do with compliance of teachers under the teaching council of Zambia,” Dr Mubanga said.

He has urged all teachers in public and private schools in all 10 provinces to remain professional at all times and ensure that they are compliant and understand the government's policies and programs.

ANTHRAX CASES DROP

 ANTHRAX CASES DROP

 

 

By Daily News Reporter

 

Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo has said that the country has recorded a reduction in the number of Anthrax cases.

And Ms Masebo added that the Ministry is working with the Ministry of Livestock has ensured sustained sensitization to promote and support mitigation measures.

And commenting on the Cholera situation in the country, Ms Masebo said that Lusaka Province has recorded 74 new cases in the last 24 hours bringing the total cumulative cases to 1, 669.

She said 4 deaths were also recorded bringing the total to 46, while 69 patients were discharged and 110 patients were still admitted in the last 24 hours.

She further said that Eastern Province has recorded one cholera case which was a death.

The new recorded cases bring to the total of 2,552 national cumulative cases since 26 th January 2023 when the disease broke out.

The national cumulative death cases stand at 64 meanwhile the case fatality ratio is at 2.5%.

She assured that the government's commitment to containing the Cholera situation in the country by the end of the year.

“Government is putting in place measures to curb the situation.

She called on Zambians to stay alert by adhering to the mitigation measures and to visit a health center upon noticing diarrhea,” Masebo said.

 

VSO AND STANDARD CHARTERED BANK SUPPORTS YOUTHS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMMES

 VSO AND STANDARD CHARTERED BANK SUPPORTS YOUTHS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMMES

By Daily News Reporter

 

Enhancing Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment (EYEE) Project Implementation Lead - Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and through the support from the government under the Ministry of Youth Sport and Art, EYEE has trained youth in different skills.

 

EYEE the project which is one of the three entrepreneurship and employment interventions of standard Chartered Foundation supported futuremakers project is fully operational in three countries namely Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

 

Speaking at the close out programme for the youth entrepreneurship and employment in Lusaka, VSO Project Manager Mr Angel Mutale ensured the youths that VSO will ensure that more funds will be sourced to support other youths from the training that are currently rendering the many youths under their tutorage.

 

He added that the fund which will be sourced it will give youths an opportunity to access affordable financial services in order to standout and grow their businesses.

 

Mr. Mutale further said that the purpose of the initiative was to make the young people start servings, and borrow the same money through servings.

 

"We are humbled with a lot of testimonies from beneficiaries that have ventured into different types of businesses through empowerment which is offered to them," he noted.

 

And Standard Chartered Bank, Futuremakers initiative Ms. Christine Matambo said the Bank is contributing massively in job creation and giving Entrepreneurship programmes to women and youths in the country and also to economic growth and development.

"As a bank we have targeted groups such as women and youths in their businesses, and participate to the growth of the economy through such programmes," Matambo said

 “As a socially responsible bank, we are driving impact through our Future makers programme by collaborating with our partners to implement community-oriented initiatives that tackle societal challenges and help local communities to cope and thrive,” Matambo said.

Ms. Matambo explained that the Future makers’ programmes by the bank were anchored on three pillars: Education, Employability and Entrepreneurship.

 

She added that the bank had four active programmes under Future makers namely, SC Women in Tech (WiT), Youth to Work, Enhanced Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability (EYEE) Programme and the Goal programme.

 

 

COMESA Member States under negotiations on seven Trade in Services sectors

 COMESA Member States under negotiations on seven Trade in Services sectors

By Alain Kabinda

The World Trade Institute and COMESA have conducted a training course for COMESA Member States aimed at strengthening human and policy-making capacities on Trade in Services. The course took place virtually from 6 – 8 December 2021.

It was attended by trade and trade law experts from Member States that deal in multilateral, regional and sub-regional trade negotiations, to sharpen their skills in analysis, formulation and implementation of Trade in Services policy frameworks.

The training was designed to widen participants knowledge on the key concepts and legal obligations under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the COMESA Regulations on Trade in Services, and the Protocol on Trade in Services under the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Director of Trade and Customs in COMESA, Dr Christopher Onyango described the training as critical for COMESA trade liberalization programme.

“Whereas significant progress has been made in liberalizing trade in goods in COMESA, the same is not the case as regards the services sectors despite existence of a framework for trade in services,” he said this when addressing participants at the opening of the training on Monday.

Currently, all COMESA Member States are involved in negotiations on seven Trade in Services sectors that have been prioritized for liberalization namely: communication, finance, tourism, transport, business, construction and energy-related services.

Dr Onyango observed that effective participation of Member States in multilateral, regional and sub-regional trade negotiations will ensure that the outcomes of such negotiations bring about desired results to bolster trade and contribute to the broader human development. Two resource experts Dr Jan Bohanes and Pierre Sauvé from the World Trade Institute, University of Berne, Switzerland, conducted the training which broadly covered economics, law and policy of trade in services.

Critical topics covered included the importance of Trade in Services to the economy and its potential for enhancing exports within the region and globally. Other topics were: COMESA Treaty obligations to Member States under the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services and other regional trade agreements: best practices for negotiating services globally and in regional trade agreements; sharing of best experiences in services development and liberalization of regional integration groupings.

COMESA is a regional economic community established in 1994. It brings together 21 African Member States with a population of 583 million people into a cooperative framework for sustainable economic growth and prosperity through regional integration. 2 Participants acknowledged that Trade in Services sector presents the greatest potential to spur economic growth and create employment opportunities through value added to manufactured, agricultural, and mining products. Services also promote innovations and technology transfers critical for enhancing productivity and competitiveness. The relevance of services sectors has become even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which information, communication and technology services have taken centre stage in all aspects of life.

Zambia to improve the economy through ACFTA Project

 Zambia to improve the economy through ACFTA Project

By Daily News Reporter

The operationalization of the much espoused African Continental Free Trade Area is projected with over 24 countries have ratified the treaty has raised questions why Zambia is seemingly lurking in the shadows.

The much-touted or grand finale-ACFTA, characterized by pomp and splendor took center stage in the Niger capital, Niamey, last July during the Heads of States and Government summit when Nigeria and Benin signed the AfCFTA agreement; all African countries except Eritrea have now signed.

Gabon and Equatorial Guinea also deposited their instruments of ratification, bringing the number of countries that have ratified the agreement to 28.

Countries that have deposited their instruments of AfCFTA ratification with the African Union Commission Chairperson are Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Niger, Chad, Congo Republic, Djibouti, Guinea, Eswatini, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire), Senegal, Togo, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Sierra Leone.

Ostensibly, the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) entered into force on 30 May 2019 for the 24 countries that had deposited their instruments of ratification.

The date marked 30 days after 22 countries had deposited their ratification instruments with the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson – the designated depositary for this purpose, as stipulated in Article 23 of the Agreement.

The 22-country threshold in conformity with legal provisions was reached on 29 April 2019 when Sierra Leone and the Saharawi Republic deposited their instruments of ratification with the depositary. To date, 28 countries have both signed and ratified the AfCFTA Agreement. Of the 55 AU member states, only Eritrea has yet to sign.

The operational phase of the AfCFTA launched at the 12th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union on 7 July 2019 meant the AfCFTA being governed by five operational instruments. These include the Rules of Origin; the online negotiating forum; the monitoring and elimination of non-tariff barriers; a digital payments system and the African Trade Observatory, data shows.

However, with all these in place, Zambia is still in its planning stage to join other countries that have given thumbs up to the ACFTA. According to commerce trade and industry chief economist, Paul Mumba, “Zambia is ready to finalise its ACFTA strategy and implementation plan”

Being a state party to the agreement indicating the highest political will especially that the framework agreement was signed by President Edgar Lungu, Mumba stated recently during a planning meeting with various players who sat to finalise Zambia’s ACFTA strategy and implementation plan in Livingstone.

According to Mumba, the series of meetings planned ahead of the final signature were important as would help prepare various key players-government and Small and Medium Entrepreneurs-all needed to respond to the opportunities and challenges lying ahead, come the ACFTA.

“We need to plan to put a strategy in place so that we can ably respond systematically to the ACFTA challenges and opportunities” he said. Focus, he noted should be on strategies to provide opportunities that come with the ACFTA than the negative fears of Zambia industries failing to compete favorably in the wider market as perceived.

Mumba’s views tally with the concerns raised by industries players in the telecommunication, manufacturing, pensions, among others that felt Zambia was ill-prepared to stand the competition expected under the ACFTA and needed at least 15 months to get ready before joining the fray.

However, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa-UNECA believes to the contrary. It argues, smaller African economies need not fear the AfCFTA. Instead, they embrace the accord for the benefits it will bring to the continent through expanded intra-African trade, argues UNECA’S chief economist and executive secretary, Vera Songwe.

“Beyond central technical considerations in relation to the design of AfCFTA modalities, ECA’s assessment reveals that smaller economies should certainly not fear the AfCFTA reforms but rather embrace it; particularly, as African LDCs would be those getting the largest increase in intra-African exports of industrial products.

“And of course, it must be underscored that such benefits will only materialize if the AfCFTA reforms are properly designed and effectively implemented.

She argues: “Our analysis shows that the AfCFTA is win-win for all countries, big and small, agricultural and industrial, landlocked and coastal, in regard to both increases in exports and overall welfare or GDP.”

ECA is currently assisting member States with the development and implementation of much needed national AfCFTA strategies, to ensure they can best benefit from the reforms.

And trade think tank, Centre for Trade and Policy Development-CTPD wants Zambia to assess its position and move in tandem with other countries that have appended their signatures and deposited their instruments awaiting the flag off of the ACFTA.

A consultative meeting called in collaboration with Zambia’s ministry of Commerce in Lusaka Thursday, Nov. 14 to establish the readiness of Local Manufacturing Industries and Entrepreneurs ahead of the fast approaching implementation of the AfCFTA.

The capacity building meeting will seek to resolve among other pertinent issues understand business and trading strategies that Local Industries and Entrepreneurs have put in place to support the growth of the Local Manufacturing Industries amid the envisaged competiveness under the AFCFTA.

“Through this forum CTPD hopes to establish the perception and views of local manufacturing industries, the private sector, civil society organizations on the participation of Zambia in the AfCFTA.” Isaac Mwaipopo noted ahead of the meeting.

At country level CTPD argues there are still some outstanding issues such as the list of sensitive and excluded products and Rules of Origin that need to be addressed for the country to fully harness the benefits of the continental agreement.

There is need intensify capacity building and sensitization programmes around the operations of the AfCFTA and the African Union agenda 2063 to adequately prepare local traders and industries as nations look forward to the initial operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

All local players, small scale farmers, traders, manufactures, marketers, retailers as well as multinational chain store, need to show interest and understand as well as and keeping the AfCFTA momentum in tandem with the fast pace at which the project is moving.

All AU states should promote peace-building and security on the continent for the AfCFTA to be sustainable and effective. ‘‘We believe that peace-building and security is one of the key factors for continental integration.

So what is the way forward: Government needs to consider sourcing funds from Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to which it is a member (COMESA and SADC) in order to implement the Country’s strategy for the implementation of the AfCFTA. This highlights the need to leverage the RECs comparative advantages, convening powers and institutions for the benefit of the AfCFTAs implementation.

Awareness should also focus on how the Agreement can benefit Zambian producers and businesses as well as what risks come with it. Producers need to be prepared for the increase in competition that will arise once tariffs are removed and trade under the AfCFTA begins. This kind of support would ensure that Zambian producers and businesses are not crowded out by firms from countries with larger economies such as South Africa and Nigeria. This support can take the form of enhanced technical, managerial and financial skills to meet industry standards. The Government may assist in investment of these attributes.

And there is a need also for capital markets to provide specific credit (for a longer period of time than is generally available in the market) to support MSMEs for investment, growth, export and diversification. Related to this, there is a need for greater awareness of such funding and its availability to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Further Zambia should work at identifying the product and commodity categories in which we have comparative advantage (the ability to carry out an economic activity more efficiently than another activity). For example, amongst others, Zambia has comparative advantage in copper production as well as sugars and sugar confectionary. These are the goods that the country must now focus on producing as trade in the AfCFTA begins to take place.

Furthermore, by identifying these categories, it can be determined which countries we share comparative advantages with e.g. Copper with Democratic Republic of Congo, Sugars with Eswatini, Malawi and Mauritius. These product categories present opportunities for joint-production among member states as well as sectors for product development. Discussions regarding strategy and co-operation in these areas should now begin as soon as possible.

Agree on Agro Industrial Park Location to accelerate regional integration

Agree on Agro Industrial Park Location to accelerate regional integration

Kamwendo

By Daily News Reporter

Zambia-Zimbabwe and cooperating partners opened talks in Livingstone to deliberate and agree on a common ground to foster economic growth of the two neighbors creation of the Common Agro-Industrial Park (CIAP) a rider to advancing industrialization through the agricultural sector.

The two countries are already collaborating through bilateral agreements and sharing import and export revenue on goods and services traded through their borders.

There is urgent need to develop the Common Agro-Industrial Park-a vehicle for the structural transformation of the two economies through the commercialization of the agricultural sector.

The concept, a brainchild of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) introduced in Africa was arguably to assist transformation the agricultural and livestock products and envisaged to assist countries attain the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Officiating-virtually at the two-day meeting dubbed: “The establishment of a common agro-industrial park under the joint industrialization cooperation programme between Zambia and Zimbabwe” underscored the urgency of the CAIP with a call for its urgent establishment.

Eunice Kamwendo, the UNECA Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa said it was important to agree on various modalities including agreeing on possible CAIP location of the infrastructure being cardinal to the growth of the agriculture sector.

The urgency by the two countries showing political will and commitment to the CAIP was more important than before as Africa embraces the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), operationalised on 1 April last year.

This was arguably to gauge the continent’s competitiveness amid calls to harness regional integrations.

The Director challenged leadership in the two countries to be candid during deliberation, exercise political will, review draft policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework options, among others to excite potential donors, on hand to accelerate Africa’s agriculture sector development.

The undertaking would expedite the purpose intended and help reach a consensus on the location for the CAIP unlike previously which has harboured ‘blind discussion’ the pre-feasibility study was undertaken on the location of the infrastructure-thus delaying the actual feasibility.

“Pleased to note the strong leadership and political will on this initiative by the two countries – this is necessary in moving ideas to action. You have the support of my office, the COMESA Secretariat and many other partners that are committed to see this initiative come to life,” Dr. Kamwendo stated.

The meeting seeks to among other pending issues, discuss and agree on funding options for the CAIP under the AfDB window, agree on a roadmap for the initiative's subsequent phases.

The outcome of the meeting is envisaged to excite the private sector-keen to form part of the CAIP should durable solutions be found.

The lack of CAIP has contributed to the stunted development of the agriculture sector-contribution a paltry 15% to GDP in both countries, employing over 70% of the labour force and contributing between 4 to 27% percent of regional GDP for SADC and COMESA regional economic communities.

Despite its critical role as the driver for structural transformation; job creation and poverty reduction; production and productivity remains suboptimal due to a range of issues.

From Low mechanization, low utilization of irrigation systems, limited use of fertilizers and constrained access to markets, as well as the unstable weather patterns due to climate change continue to undermine the sector.

Developing regional agricultural value chains will therefore require significant investments towards the sector by the two countries.

There is urgent need to increase productivity, strengthen linkages along the different value chains, facilitate value addition and industrialization and economic transformation which are critical for the creation of sustainable jobs as well as the attainment of SDGs, particularly SDG 9 and the Agenda 2063.

“The Common Agro-Industrial Park (CAIP) Promise - is what should push us into accelerated action.” She said.

“The promise to deliver sustainable and decent jobs; improve food security; reduction of poverty and inequalities; and strengthening of regional integration and regional value chains and harness the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA of a market of 1.3 billion and $3.4 billion in GDP); increase export earnings; tax revenues and anchor economic transformation and diversification – are goals that we should all pursue with a sense of urgency.”

Comesa-Assistant Secretary General-programmes- Ambassador Dr. Kipyego Cheluget noted that despite the Memorandum of Understanding being signed by the two countries, many questions remain unanswered since its was conceptualized in 2019.

There is a need to expedite and overcome all impediments that surround CAIP actualization hence the need to plug the challenges.

“We must form strong structures and build their capacities at national and regional level. Our interaction must be as frequent as possible especially in the formative years of the Programme so that we do not lose the momentum.”

Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary for industry and commerce, Dr. Mavis Gumbo noted the various milestones attained in actualizing the CAIP since signing of the MoU and the pre-feasibility study undertaken to kick start the process but was concerned with the sluggishness in actualising the much touted project.

She commended the various donor agencies for standing by to help foster the actualization of CAIP.

She expressed gratitude with the donors’ desire to help realize the project and called on players to join hands and actualize the dream with the inclusion of the private sector.

“Private sector participation will see the coming to fruition of whatever glorious agreements that we will come up with on this platform”

Zambia’s Permanent Secretary Chawe Chuulu expressed displeasure at the sluggish pace of implementing the CAIP and challenged all players to elevate the ties to that of a strategic partnership and see the realization of the Industrial Park.

The realization of the CAIP resonates well with the aspirations of the drafters of the AfCFTA as it will be the ladder for the two neighbours to be integrated into regional and global value chains based on their collective comparative and competitive advantages.

The launch of the AfCFTA last year was a launching pad for countries-Zambia included to help diversify the export markets of Zambia, increase the country’s earnings from traditional and non-traditional exports, and improve the competitiveness and reach of its services sector.

It also helped Zambia, like other countries to deepen sectoral linkages through national and regional value chains.

The strategy is guided by and complements aspirations elaborated in the country’s Vision 2030 and other Government policies and strategies.

The success of the CAIP is dependent on the two countries pooling resources and ensure economies of scale and allow the two neighbors to compete favourably on the market.

With the advent of the current geo-political landscape in Eastern Europe, the Joint Industrialisation Cooperation Programme has come in very handy.

However economic commentators cite Decrease in air emissions, depleted groundwater and surface contamination, Water conservation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions as some of the advantages.

It works better in recycled materials, conserved resources and availability and dependable technology, energy, and electricity as some of the environmental advantages.

Utilise own resources to fight poverty’-Nalumango implore Comesa

 Utilise own resources to fight poverty’-Nalumango implore Comesa

By Daily News Reporter

Member countries in the 21-economic bloc- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa should actualise the potential endowed in the vast natural and mineral resources to reverse poverty and vulnerability through regional integration for maximum returns, Zambia’s Vice President Mutale Nalumango has noted.

Despite the countless natural and mineral resources, agricultural land, attractive sites abound, many people in the regional grouping remain poor and vulnerable to various economic shocks, a need to review by jointly redressing the shortcomings as a united grouping.

Officiating at the 44th Comesa Council of Minister meeting in the Zambia’s capital, the Vice President noted that regional integration remains the pathway to redressing the challenges and maximise on the available opportunities.

The co-existence will further induce value addition to product and services while enhancing productivity, generate employment opportunities and increase household income earnings.

The status will also stimulate growth and expansion of the private sector and business opportunities.

The region should strive to prioritize and refocus on key areas contributing to development, productivity and competitiveness with prioritization biased towards value addition, diversification and embracing new technologies, all with due consideration to the protection of our environment.

The regional integration process should embrace women, youth and the vulnerable and should be support to make them active participants in the regional transformation.

There is compelling need for all players-private sector inclusive to maximise on the business opportunities and seek to leverage on the opportunities offered under the tripartite Comesa-East African Community and the Southern African Development Community (COMESA-EAC-SADC), Tripartite Free Trade Area and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The groupings do not only widen the markets for goods and services but strive to strengthen value addition and industrial growth while stimulating long term investments in physical and soft infrastructure development, but comes at a cost.

“To reap these benefits, we need to improve the connectivity of our countries through good roads, railways and maritime transport means, among others. We also need to unleash the free movement of people to open wider avenues of regional trade, investment and integration.” The Vice President stated.

Comesa secretariat was commended for undertaking various transformative programmes including automating core processes intended to improving efficiency and workflows. Automation and digitalization remain essential in in the digital era as it will help the secretariat to support member states efficiently.

And Comesa Secretary Chileshe Kapwepwe underscored the need to harness growth in global and regional trade to enhance development.

Last year the 21-member states’ total exports to the global market rose 15% with the value of intra-COMESA exports also rose 10%. Imports sourced from the COMESA market were ranked in fourth position and increased by 27% in 2022.

The uptake and utilization of trade facilitation programmes has notably been successful in terms of automated and digitalized customs systems, the Simplified Trade Regime and the tripartite online Non-Tariff Barriers reporting, monitoring and eliminating mechanism.

COMESA has also continued to facilitate the smooth movement of vehicles, goods and persons within its Member States and between COMESA and other regions through the implementation of the Yellow Card and the Regional Customs Transit Guarantee (RCTG) Scheme.

In collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK), an Online Platform for COMESA Negotiations of Trade in Services has been developed.

The platform, which was launched at the meeting, aims to expedite the negotiations, providing tools to improve the technical quality of offers and increase the transparency, while at the same time safeguarding the confidentiality of information exchanged between the parties.

The success of the COMESA regional integration is significantly attributed to substantial support from development partners, especially the European Union, the World Bank and the African Development Bank.

FIRST LADY MUTINTA HICHILEMA AS MORE THEN A MOTHER CHAMPION

FIRST LADY MUTINTA HICHILEMA AS MORE THEN A MOTHER CHAMPION

By Daily News Reporter

 The First Lady Mutinta Hichilema has observed that the offering specialized training to 126 local doctors in various medical fields will transform the delivery of healthcare services in the country.

Mrs. Hichilema stated that training by Mecrk Foundation is a key in ensuring that patients receive quality healthcare services in the country.

She further noted that it is gratifying that the partnership entered between her office and Merck foundation will yield positive results.

She added that her office is looking forward to scaling up the programme and establishing a strong platform of skilled and well trained healthcare experts in the public sector.

“We will continue to scale up the programme with the aim to establish a strong platform of skilled well trained healthcare experts in the public sector,” she said.

Meanwhile Mrs. Hichilema has disclosed that her office has been running a programme with Merck foundation aimed at promoting girl child education in the country.

Mrs. Hichilema explained that through the girl education programme, girls are being assisted with tuition fees so as to enable them complete their tertiary education and so far 21 girls have been offered scholarships up to tertiary education

“Am happy to inform you that through the joint partnership 21 girls have been offered scholarships to cover their tuition fees in nursing and health sciences, in colleges and universities,” she said.

She added that the scholarships offered to the girls will continue till they complete tertiary education successfully.

Mrs. Hichilema indicated that the girls’ education programme is important and critical to every girl child’s welfare and she was stressed that she is a strong believer of girl child education, saying it has the potential to make them self-sufficient and economically independent.

And the same event the First Lady of Zambia was awarded as an Ambassador of Merck Foundation "More Than a Mother" Campaign.

And speaking earlier, Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rasha Kalej, commended the First Lady for her passion and dedication towards the promotion of girl child education and health.

Dr. Kalej says she was pleased and proud of the impact that the joint partnership has attained within a short period.

She said the effort put in by the First Lady to ensure that the Merck foundation programme is a success is overwhelming and gratifying.

"It gave me great honor to meet my dear sister, the First Lady of Zambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation "More Than a Mother" Campaign, H.E. Mrs. MUTINTA HICHELIME, to discuss our long-term partnership and mark an important milestone of our programs impact, outstanding achievements in building Health care capacity. 126 scholarships to Zambian Doctors in 39 critical and underserved specialties and 21 scholarships to young girls to continue their education,” Kaleji said.