GOVERNMENT says it is undertaking inspections to verify that each applicant has timber before an export permit is issued to them to avoid a trend where individuals would acquire permits without having the commodity. In a statement, Wednesday, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment permanent secretary John Msimuko said the measure would also enable the...

DEVELOPMENT Bank of Zambia board chairman Noel Nkoma says the country should consider establishing a Lusaka metal exchange, as it can present opportunities for boosting the country’s foreign exchange reserves. In an interview, Nkoma said as one of the biggest metal mining economy, Zambians needed to start participating in metal trade. “As one of the...

THE Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has announced a K10 reduction on all inter-city bus fares, but discloses that fares for inter-mine, peri-urban and local routes remain unchanged. And Zambia Consumer Association Executive Secretary Juba Sakala has proposed the formulation of a law which will compel market players to respond to any reduction in...

INFRASTRUCTURE, Housing and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi has appointed a new board for the National Council for Construction (NCC), urging the appointees to ensure strict adherence to construction standards. According to a statement, Tuesday, among those appointed include; Vitalis Mooya as board chairperson, Odetta Kaoma, and Mutinta Pensulo among others. “Infrastructure, Housing and Urban...

ECONOMIST Trevor Simumba says government should consider handing Konkola Copper Mines back to Vedanta because it is the least difficult decision on the table. In an interview, Simumba said although Vedanta was not the best, giving back KCM to them was the least contentious option. "First of all, I think this whole KCM saga has...

MAHOGANY Air founder and chief executive officer Jim Belemu says the future of private airlines in the country's aviation sector is very bleak. In an interview, Monday, Belemu said private players in the sector could not continue sacrificing. "When Zambia Airways was coming, we said look, 'let there be a private sector initiative so that...

ACTIONAID Zambia country director Nalucha Ziba says the Office of the President needs to insulate itself from the Industrial Development Corporation as its risks being brought into ridicule in an event of any impropriety or breeches of the law at the corporation. In response to a press query, Ziba said amending the articles of association...

ENERGY Minister Peter Kapala says Small and Medium Enterprise Minister Elias Mubanga's statement that government is no longer increasing fuel prices needs to be corrected. And Kapala says the recent Kwacha appreciation contributed to the reduction in fuel pump prices during last month's price review. Meanwhile, Kapala says Zesco is now using internal resources to...

MINES and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe says First Quantum Mineral's $1.25 investment in the mining sector is an indication that investors are confident in the country's economy. And Kabuswe says he is yet to formally read Vedanta Resources's letter in which the firm is promising to make various progressive changes if given back KCM....

DEVELOPMENT Bank of Zambia (DBZ) board chairperson Noel Nkoma says he has decided to resign from the Energy Regulation Board of Zambia (ERB) to focus on reviving DBZ. Nkoma announced his resignation on social media, adding that the responsibilities bestowed on him of reviving DBZ were enormous and required total commitment and focus. "Upon being...