Maimbolwa Mulikelela

Kwacha tumbles further against the greenback

2014-05-06T03:22:00.000-07:00

By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA

THE Kwacha yesterday slipped further against the United State dollar from Monday’s close of K6.420/6.440 to an opening level of K6.450/6.470 at interbank.

Monday’s trading session saw the Kwacha weaken from an opening level of K6.420/6.440 against the dollar.

According to Standard Chartered Bank daily brief, the currency pair on Monday came in 40 points higher on Monday at around K6.420/6.440 from Friday’s K6.380/6.400 level.

The bank was selling the local unit yesterday at K6.4850 against the dollar and buying it at K6.3585.

A check by Times of Zambia in Lusaka at Golden Coin Bureau de Change, the Kwacha was being sold at K6.4500 and buying it at K6.3500 against the greenback on Tuesday at 09:32 hours.

While at JIT Bureau de Change Limited, the local unit was trading in the range of K6.350/6.490 against the greenback yesterday at 10:30 hours.

Workers of Mount Meru Millers Limited putting Soya beans on a conveyor belt during the processing of cooking oil in Katuba.

2014-05-06T03:07:00.001-07:00

2014-05-06T02:51:00.000-07:00

Mt Meru invest US$30 million in the Zambian economy

By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA

MOUNT Meru Millers (Z) Limited (MMML) has invested about US$30 million to establish an edible oil manufacturing in Katuba, one of the largest factories of its kind in the region.

And the company will procure grains worth US$35 million from the farmers from April to September this year.

MMML managing director Himanshu Shah said the company pumped in about US$4 million to setup a high protein cotton seed processing plant for cooking oil, the first-ever to be constructed in Zambia and the second in the region.

Mr Shah said the company was expanding its refinery at the cost of about US$ 2.5 million which would enable it to do the fractionation of crude palm oils.

In an interview in Katuba, Mr Shah said once the fractionation plant was completed, the company would be able to process the crude palm oil in Zambia.

Mr Shah said currently, no manufacturing company was able to process crude palm oil apart from Gourock industries saying once completed it would be another one of its kind in the country.

“We are expanding our refinery and currently our refinery can do soya, cotton and sunflower seed oils and now we are expanding it to do the fractionation of crude palm oil.

Right now we can’t do crude palm oil, it is only Gourock industries which is a global industry and crude palm oil which is 50 per cent of the oil consumption of Zambia,” he said.

Mr Shah said MMML was repositioning itself to tap into the palm oil industry by putting in place a fractionation plant in Zambia.

He said its flagship plant in Katuba was a practical example of value-addition through agro- processing.

Mr Shah said from May, 2014 to April 2015 the firm would crush around 60,000 tonnes of soya beans seeds of which 95 per cent had already been procured.

“We have plans to crush 15,000 tonnes of cotton seeds and 5,000 tonnes of sunflower seeds and this is our plan for this year,” he said.

Mr Shah said this year the company had projected to crush a total of 80, 000 tonnes of the edible oils.

He said plans are underway to construct 36,000 tonnes storage silos which would be completed in the next 10 months.

“We will be putting up three silos that will carry up to 36,000 tonnes of soya beans and the foundation process has started which is expected to be completed in the next 10 months and this will be the biggest silos in Zambia,” he said.

Mr Shah said it was important to point out that the company was buying 100 per cent of the cotton and sunflower from the smallholder farmers and 95 per cent of the soya beans from the commercial farmers.

“We are currently doing trials in sunflower and our aim is to promote the production of sunflower in Zambia. We have factories in Uganda and Tanzania and the plants are running at 100 per cent on sunflower,” Mr Shah said.

To date, the company has created over 400 jobs for the local people in Katuba area.

The Media celebrates 50 years of change in reporting & broadcasting -Zambia

2013-09-26T08:50:00.001-07:00

It makes an interesting observation to note how the media has evolved from the colonial times to-date. As we celebrate Zambia's 50th years of it independence, it is important to look at how the media has facilitated the exchange of ideas and opinions in our society.

And moreover the power of social media.

Maimbolwa Kabaso Mulikelela

Mathews Mutale, Author of 'An Eye Opener for SME'

2013-03-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

SMEs: An Eye Opener for SME: A must-read

2013-03-20T11:12:00.001-07:00

BY MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA -

ALTHOUGH Governments grab headlines with huge investments in infrastructure, behind the scenes, are the many small and medium sized enterprises (SME) which are forming the backbone of economic development and whose efforts are now being increasingly recognised.

In Zambia, for example, SMEs are seen as pivotal to the country’s growth story and as an integral part of its future economic development.

As well, the Zambian Government is keen to re-examine the country’s strategy for helping the Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) and is considering how best to do this.

While the Government is considering alternative approaches, a Zambian entrepreneur and founder of Diamondale Foundation based in the United States of America (US) Mathew Mutale has written a book entitled An Eye Opener for Small Medium Enterprise (SME)

The book describes the different approaches the SMEs could use to develop their organisation through better marketing strategies and business project management thereby, raising their productivity, enabling them to invest in human capital and escape from intergenerational poverty traps.

From the point of view of the author, the book can be an effective way to target particularly not only how management process work, but more importantly, on why it works and also the transitional to support the growth of the SMEs.
Mr Mutale believes the sector constitutes a very important segment of the Zambian economy and other developing countries in the world bearing in mind that while, many Western economies are measuring growth in static or even minus figures, the world’s newest economies continue to power ahead.

It is important to note that SMEs typically, have flat management structures and unlike large organisations, do not have hierarchical chains of command.

The book highlights the key strategic areas on how to start a business and implement the project management in an SME
organisation.

The book An Eye Opener for SME is very useful in the sense that an SME in any part of the world could use the information to start a business and improve on the structural management which has been a major hindrance to the development of this important sector.........

Times of Zambia

Strengthen Public Health Laboratories ECSA countries urged

2012-08-12T02:24:00.000-07:00

By Maimbolwa Mulikelela

EAST, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA_HC) countries have been urged to invest in public health Laboratories to strengthen diagnostic services utilisation in the region.

ECSA has observed that access to reliable laboratories testing remains limited in the region saying that more investments must be channelled towards improving public health laboratories.

Public health laboratories are critical component of global communicable disease detection, prevention and control.

It was pointed out that weak laboratories have contributed to late detecting of communicable diseases such as Ebola and other haemorrhagic fevers thereby causing devastating effects on the communities.(....)

CEE Act review underway

2012-08-12T02:02:00.001-07:00

By MAMBOLWA MULIKELELA – THE Government has embarked on the review of the Citizens Economic Empowerment (CEE) mechanism in the country and has engaged a consultant to appraise the current CEE Act. And the Auditor General’s Office has concluded the forensic audit on the operations of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and is expected [...] TIMES OF ZAMBIA

‘Use agro show for increased trade’

2012-08-12T02:00:00.002-07:00

By Maimbolwa Mulikelela – ZIMBABWEAN Ministry of Industry and Commerce deputy director Constance Zhanje has said the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show should be used as an avenue to increase trade between Zambia and other countries. Ms Zhanje said the agriculture and commercial show was an avenue which should be used to promote trade and [...]

Monsanto produces 3, 000 tonnes of maize seed

2012-08-12T01:59:00.000-07:00

A UNITED States (US) multinational agricultural firm, Monsanto has produced more than 3, 000 tonnes of maize seed for the 2011/2012 farming season. Monsanto company production manager Davison Silungwe said the seed was destined to be sold both on the local and export markets. Monsanto has been operating in Zambia for the last three years [...]TIMES OF ZAMBIA

ZAFFICO studying how to grow trees faster

2012-08-12T01:56:00.001-07:00

By Maimbolwa Mulikelela – THE Zambia Forest and Forestry Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) is undertaking a research that will help the firm to invest in early maturing plants to ensure sustainable supply of quality wood. ZAFFICO plantation manager Nil Addo said the corporation was currently undertaking a research that would assist it invest in early maturing [...]Times of Zambia.

Rebranding to upscale tourism

2011-08-25T06:06:00.001-07:00

By Maimbolwa Mulikelela

ZAMBIA ‘Lets Explore’ is the new Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) slogan meant to attract tourists and create an environment that ensures an equitable balance between the development needs of the country and an investment climate for wealth creation.
Previously without realisation, “Zambia The Real Africa’ slogan was for many years portraying the country in negative terms.
........Times of Zambia

Zambian firm cracks US market

2011-08-25T05:57:00.000-07:00

By Maimbolwa Mulikelela

Sylva Holdings Limited, a Zambian food marketing and export firm, has managed to gain access into the US market.
The company has sealed a deal to supply thousands of tonnes of food items to the US on a monthly basis.
Sylva Holdings’ managing director, Sylva Banda, told How we made it in Africa that the firm would supply dried fruits and vegetables, soup, cassava muffin mix, as well as canned goat meat and chicken into the American market...........www.howwemadeitinafrica.com

Maimbolwa Mulikelela: Driven Economic Growth Affirmation

2011-08-25T05:51:00.000-07:00

Maimbolwa Mulikelela: Driven Economic Growth Affirmation

Driven Economic Growth Affirmation

2011-08-25T05:47:00.001-07:00

Maimbolwa Mulikelela

THE just-ended Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka was held at a time when Zambia's economic growth is premised on a revival of non-copper mining sectors led-on by agriculture which is seeing growth in maize and other crops.
Against a back-drop of unprecedented Gross National Income (GNI) which has resulted in Zambia graduating into the middle-income country? the show provided a platform for opportunities in the manufacture, transport and telecommunication, construction and tourism sectors.
In addition, the B+ rating and the top 10 improved investment environment in Africa ranking by the World Bank has put Zambia on a better position in terms of increased investment.
The show's theme 'Shaping Tomorrow's World' blends in well with the economic development and the unprecedented maize bumper harvest recorded.Times of Zambia

Tapping rural market potential through banking

2011-05-01T17:27:00.001-07:00

By Maimbolwa Mulikelela

RURAL banking offers an opportunity for diversification and growth despite the challenges of supportive facilities and the necessary technology to sustain the implementation of projects in remote areas.
Although the commercial banks and other financial institutions see business prospects in shifting focus to the rural sector, they have not given this market much attention hitherto.
Individuals, traders, entrepreneurs, processing industries, professionals, educational institutions, plantations and others
provide a wide range of business avenues and a ready market for these institutions.
The steady development of the telecommunications facilities in the rural areas has made doing business easy even for the financial sector.

READ MORE>>>>>

TIMES OF ZAMBIA

State checks mine tax discrepancies

2011-05-01T17:24:00.001-07:00

By Maimbolwa Mulikelela

MINING remains the mainstay of the country’s economy, attracting an eagle’s eye in revenue, its contribution to communities and general operations.
As a result the Government launched Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in July 2008 to promote accountability, transparency and good governance.
The initiative offers an opportunity to stakeholders and the public at large to know mining companies’ contribution to national coffers.

READ MORE>>>>>>
TIMES OF ZAMBIA

African bank to fund Zambia Lobito rail line

2011-05-01T17:22:00.001-07:00

From Maimbolwa Mulikelela in Washington

THE African Development Bank (AfDB) will consider funding a railway line which is going to connect Zambia to the Port of Lobito in Angola.
The railway line will facilitate regional and international trade especially for bulk cargo such as copper whose production is projected to rise to more than a million tonnes by 2015.
Speaking when he met Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane in Washington DC, ADB president Donald Kaberuka said the project was key to Zambiaís economic development.

READ MORE>>>>>
TIMES OF ZAMBIA

BHF to set up base in Zambia

2011-05-01T17:21:00.001-07:00

From MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA in Washington

BANK of Zambia (BOZ) Governor Caleb Fundanga has said a Germany bank, BHF has shown interest in setting up base in Zambia to provide long term credit to business entities involved in the export and import of goods with the European country.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2011 International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Spring meetings in Washington, Dr Fundanga said BHF Bank would provide finance to Zambia as well as German business entities involved in the export and import of goods to and from Germany.
Dr Fundanga said setting up of the bank in Zambia would provide an enormous opportunity for Zambian companies to access long term credit lines.

Staffer scoops ACSZ Award

2011-05-01T17:07:00.001-07:00

By Business Reporter
TIMES of Zambia Business reporter Maimbolwa Mulikelela has scooped the 2010 Best Journalist Print Media Awards for the Agriculture and Commercial Society of Zambia (ACSZ).
ACSZ president Elizabeth Nkumbula said the article entitled ‘2010 Agric Show marks Zambian’s sustainable development benefits’ highlighted the achievements in the agriculture, manufacturing and other productive sectors of the economy.
Ms Mulikelela scooped the first prize of Best Journalist for the Print Media while Mr Brian Mwale of Muvi Television took first prize in the Electronic category respectively.
Zambia Daily Mail staffer Nancy Mwape took the second prize in the print media category.

POST HARVEST Challenges in Zambia

2010-11-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

Reforms bring $3.4bn inflows into Zambia

2010-11-23T06:36:00.000-08:00

By Maimbolwa Mulikelela

Current business reforms being undertaken by the Zambian Government have led to attraction of investment inflows amounting to US$3.4 billion from January to October 2010, exceeding the targeted US$3 billion for the whole year.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said the $3.4 billion worth of investments in various sectors of the economy has come because of the improved investment climate and stability in major macroeconomic indicators arising from prudent economic management and business reforms.
Last year, Zambia recorded in excess of US$1.8 billion worth of investments with the manufacturing sector leading in terms of investment recorded which exceeded $580 million.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mutati said in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) for the period under review, Zambia registered $3 billion.

Good old days in Zambia

2010-11-21T01:25:00.000-08:00

STATE WON'T SELL ZCCM-IH SHARES

2010-11-21T00:49:00.000-08:00

^{BY Maimbolwa Mulikelela}

^{The Government will not sell off some of its 87.6 per cent shares in Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) because such a move would not benefit Zambians.}

^{Finance and National Planning Minister Ng’andu Magande said contrary to some suggestions from stakeholders within the sector, the Government had no intention of selling part of its shares in ZCCM-IH.Read More.....ZCCM-IH News}