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India sends humanitarian assistance to Zambia 

The aid weighing approximately 3.5 tonnes comprised water purification supplies, chlorine tablets, and hydration in the form of ORS sachets, the MEA said…reports Asian Lite News

India on Saturday sent the second humanitarian aid to Zambia amid the ongoing cholera outbreak in the country.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the aid, weighing approximately 3.5 tonnes, comprises water purification supplies, chlorine tablets, and other things.

“India sends Humanitarian Assistance to Zambia in wake of the cholera outbreak. The aid weighing approx 3.5 tons comprises water purification supplies, chlorine tablets and ORS sachets. Was handed over today by our High Commissioner to the Government of Zambia,” EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X.

India sent the first consignment of humanitarian aid on February 6 via a commercial cargo aircraft to Zambia following the cholera outbreak in the country, as per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The aid weighing approximately 3.5 tonnes comprised water purification supplies, chlorine tablets, and hydration in the form of ORS sachets, the MEA said.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has said it will provide Euro one million in support to Zambia in response to the ongoing cholera epidemic, which is putting around 3.5 million people at risk.

The emergency funding will support humanitarian partners UNICEF and the WHO in their efforts to address immediate and critical needs related to health, water, hygiene, and sanitation, as per the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

As of January 31, 2024, the cumulative number of cholera cases in the country stood at 16,526 with 613 deaths. There is a high fatality rate of close to 4 per cent, with most of the cases and deaths reported in Lusaka Province.

As the rainy season in the country is expected to continue until May, further floods due to heavy rains in Lusaka’s urban and peri-urban areas could re-ignite the spread of cholera cases.

Cholera, a bacterial disease, is usually spread through contaminated water. The disease causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration. (ANI)

ALSO READ-India sends aid to Zambia amid cholera outbreak

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Zambian cabinet approves introduction of refugee policy

Mike Mposha, the acting chief government spokesperson, said the cabinet’s decision comes on the premise that the country has been hosting persons of concerns from neighboring countries since the 1940s…reports Asian Lite News

The Zambian cabinet has approved the introduction of the country’s first-ever national policy on refugees aimed at ensuring effective management of matters related to refugees, a government spokesperson said on Saturday.

Mike Mposha, the acting chief government spokesperson, said the cabinet’s decision comes on the premise that the country has been hosting persons of concerns from neighboring countries since the 1940s.

He said despite the country hosting refugees, there has been no national policy on refugees to guide the proper management of the affairs of refugees.

“The absence of the refugee policy in the past made it difficult to provide effective protection of refugees as well as provision of social services, livelihood opportunities and lasting solutions,” he said in a statement released following a cabinet meeting.

According to the government spokesperson, the decision was also in line with the country’s constitution as well as international requirements such as the 1951 convention relating to status of refugees and the 1969 convention governing the specific aspects of refugees problems in Africa, among others.

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Foreign officials of India and Zambia discuss partnership

Both sides also discussed UN and other multilateral issues of mutual interest, including UN Security Council reforms, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa…reports Asian Lite News

The third Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Zambia were held in New Delhi.

The Indian side was led by Joint Secretary of East and Southern Africa Puneet R. Kundal, and the Zambian side was led by Ambassador Isabelle M.M. Lemba is also the Permanent Secretary (IRC) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Zambia, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release on Thursday. During the FOC, both delegations reviewed the multi-faceted bilateral relationship, covering political exchanges, development partnership projects, defence cooperation, trade and economic matters, consular issues, and cooperation in areas such as Agriculture, Education, Health, Mines and Minerals, Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), etc, the MEA press release said.

MEA press release further said, “The significance of high-level visits, particularly the early convening of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) was emphasized. While expressing satisfaction over the existing bilateral ties, both sides agreed to diversify cooperation in various areas, to further strengthen this relationship.”

Both sides also discussed UN and other multilateral issues of mutual interest, including UN Security Council reforms, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), South African Development Cooperation (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Both sides agreed to continue high-level political exchanges and regular meetings of the joint institutional mechanisms to keep the partnership vibrant and mutually beneficial.

Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Consultations at mutually convenient dates in 2024 in Lusaka.

Earlier this month, India and Egypt held the twelfth round of Foreign Office Consultations in Cairo when where both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the entire range of bilateral relations, covering politics, trade and commerce, according to the official statement released by External Affairs Ministry.

The Indian delegation was led by Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary (CPV & OIA) and the Egyptian was headed by Ayman Kamel, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt.

In the meeting, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the entire range of bilateral relations, covering political, trade and commerce, investments, development partnership, capacity building, culture and people-to-people linkages, according to the statement.

They also discussed ways to further strengthen ties between India and Egypt and enhance cooperation in multilateral forums. Both sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including climate change, resilient supply chains and participation of Global South under India’s G20 Presidency, the statement read.

The last round of FOC had taken place in December 2015 in New Delhi. (ANI)

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Chinese debt trap hurdles Zambia’s progress

China, which has a keen interest in the natural resources of African countries, takes this as an opportunity to make African countries to be dependent on China, and to gain control of their natural resources…reports Asian Lite News

Zambia is facing an unsustainable debt burden, and debt servicing is leaving little room for capital formation, especially funds needed for infrastructure development, reported Africa Daily Digital.

While the country is struggling to take up World Bank-suggested reforms such as restoring fiscal and long-term debt sustainability, increasing farmers’ productivity and access to agricultural markets, ensuring access to energy and finance, and private sector development, it is facing a scarcity of resources, which makes the country dependent on and vulnerable to external debt. Following this, the Zambian government has started actively seeking additional infrastructure development through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. Zambia, like other indebted and capital-strapped African countries, urgently require funds to develop infrastructure to connect its mineral-rich areas to major cities and ports, as reported by Africa Daily Digital.

Zambia is under a heavy debt burden, and the post-Covid economic recovery is slow. In such a situation, it is difficult to upgrade the dilapidated road connecting its mining sites to export destinations in the lack of funds to build infrastructure, Africa Daily Digital reported.

China, which has a keen interest in the natural resources of African countries, takes this as an opportunity to make African countries to be dependent on China, and to gain control of their natural resources.

Although China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is assisting many African countries in building infrastructure, the end result is a debt burden on these countries, which in turn forces them to sell their natural resources at lower prices in order to raise funds for debt repayment.

A consortium of Chinese companies recently won a bid to finance the upgrading of a 327-kilometre road connecting Zambia’s capital Lusaka to Ndola in the country’s Copperbelt province. The bid was won by the Consortium Macro Ocean Investment, which is made up of three Chinese companies: AVIC International Project Engineering, Zhenjiang Communications Construction Group, and China Railway Seventh Group. The consortium won the USD 650 million public-private partnership (PPP) contract to build the dual carriageway road. The Chinese companies signed a 25-year concession agreement last month, with three years for construction and 22 years for operation and maintenance rights.

ALSO READ-Defence minister meets Zambian counterpart  

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Defence minister meets Zambian counterpart  

Rajnath Singh also met with Italian Minister of State for Defence Matteo Perego Di Cremnago in Bengaluru…reports Asian Lite News

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday held a bilateral meeting with Zambian counterpart Ambrosa Lufuma on the sidelines of Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru.

“Had fruitful discussions with Zambia’s Defence Minister, Mr. Ambrose Lufuma on the sidelines of #AeroIndia2023 in Bengaluru,” he tweeted. The five-day Aero India show, began at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka, Bengaluru on February 13.

Rajnath Singh also met with Italian Minister of State for Defence Matteo Perego Di Cremnago in Bengaluru. He tweeted, “Glad to interact with the Italian Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Matteo Perego Di Cremnago in Bengaluru.”

Rajnath Singh held a meeting with Algeria’s Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence Mohammed Salah Benbicha on the sidelines of Aero India in Bengaluru. He tweeted, “Happy to have met Algeria’s Secretary General of Ministry of National Defence, Mr. Mohammad Salah Benbicha on the sidelines of #AeroIndiaShow in Bengaluru.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hosted the Defence and Deputy Defence Ministers of 27 countries at the Defence Ministers’ Conclave held on the sidelines of Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru on Tuesday, said a press release by the Ministry of Defence.

The broad theme of the conclave was ‘Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagements in Defence’ (SPEED). It sought to address aspects related to deepening cooperation for capacity building (through investments, R&D, joint ventures, co-development, co-production and provisioning of defence equipment), training, space, AI and maritime security to grow together.

In his inaugural address, the Defence Minister highlighted the need for greater cooperation in an increasingly complex global security scenario. Singh stated that any major change in the domain of economy, security, health or climate has global reverberations and when peace and security of any region are threatened, the entire world feels its impact in multiple ways.

He reaffirmed India’s stand for a rules-based international order, in which “the primordial instinct of the might being right is replaced by the civilisational concept of fairness, cooperation, respect and equality amongst all sovereign nations”. He asserted that untethered to any faction or alliance of one group of nations against another, India has worked ceaselessly for the upliftment of all nations, especially developing ones. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Rajnath hardsells India advantage for defence sector to CEOs

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Zambia heightens Covid-19 preventive measures ahead of AU meetings

Health authorities in Zambia have announced heightened Covid-19 preventive measures ahead of the forthcoming African Union (AU) meetings…reports Asian Lite News

Zambia will host the 41st session of the Executive Council of the AU and the fourth AU mid-year coordination meeting from July 14 to 17 in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.

Nearly 13 African Presidents as well as about 3,500 other officials are expected to attend the meetings, Xinhua news agency reported.

Zambian Health Minister Sylvia Masebo said the Ministry has put in place measures to provide adequate safety and assure the public of health security to the delegates and the local people. She declared that the Ministry has provided health preventive measures starting from the airport, the venue of the meetings as well as hotels where the delegates will be lodging.

She told journalists during a press briefing that a clinic and three isolation facilities have been established at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, where a total of 28 nurses, 40 environmental health staff, two laboratory personnel, two surveillance officers and five doctors have been assigned to work.

ALSO READ:ZAMBIA’S NEW JEWEL

According to the official, fixed thermal scanners for automatic detection of people with high temperatures have been placed at the airport as well as three Covid-19 testing sites. Hotels, where guests will be lodging, have been linked to health facilities while delegates will be subjected to daily Covid-19 testing in line with AU requirements.

She also said a clinic with three doctors and 12 nurses has been established at the venue of the meetings.

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Africa News

ZAMBIA’S NEW JEWEL

Zambia commissioned an ultra-modern international conference center financed by China

The Kenneth Kaunda International Conference Center, with its main hall having a 2,500 sitting capacity, has been built to host the African Union (AU) mid-year summit this year.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema thanked China for the wonderful gift, saying the government was grateful to the support given to the country’s infrastructure development which dates back to the 1970s through the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA).

“This was a critical point in our history, when Zambia had no access to oceans and, therefore could not import or export goods due to the blockade in Southern Rhodesia,” he said.

ALSO READ: Zambia marks Kaunda Day

The conference center, he said, will contribute to Zambia becoming a hub for hosting international conferences and meetings. He also commended the Chinese contractor for completing the project within the stipulated period.

Du Xiaohui, the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, said the construction of the project demonstrates the increased cordial relations that have existed between the two countries.

He commended Zambia for the successful completion of the project which embodies the spirit of China-Zambia relations established by founding leaders of the two countries. The Chinese envoy said the project will go a long way in helping Zambia enhance its international status as well as enable the southern African nation to host major international events.

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Africa News

Zambia marks Kaunda Day

Zambians on Thursday marked the inaugural Kaunda Day in honor of the country’s founding leader Kenneth Kaunda with a call to promote the value of unity that he espoused

Zambians on Thursday marked the inaugural Kaunda Day in honor of the country’s founding leader Kenneth Kaunda with a call to promote the value of unity that he espoused.

Former President Edgar Lungu declared April 28, the day Kaunda was born, as a public holiday during Kaunda’s funeral last year to remember the sacrifices he and other freedom fighters made to free the country from colonialism.

Kaunda ruled Zambia from 1964 when the country got its independence to 1991. He died on June 17, 2021.

The event was marked by various activities, including the launch of a cleaning exercise in the central business district of Lusaka, the country’s capital, by President Hakainde Hichilema, and the opening of the Kenneth Kaunda Temporal Exhibition at the Lusaka Museum by Vice-President Mutale Nalumango.

Hichilema, who participated in the clearing of the garbage, said it was important to emulate the life of Kaunda which included hard work and service to the people.

He said Kaunda was a special person not only to Zambia and the region but to the rest of the world, adding that he offered himself for the service of the people from a young age. He said the unity Kaunda promoted during his 27-year reign must be emulated by all citizens, adding that anything that promotes disunity must be frowned upon.

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According to him, Kaunda espoused a humane spirit that must be carried forward by the current and future generations.

The Zambian president said there was a need to inculcate the spirit of keeping the environment clean which needs to be localized and promoting a culture of cleanliness, and a clean environment will go a long way in lessening the disease burden in the country.

“We must clean our surroundings; we must be orderly and raise our children in a clean environment so that when they grow up they can understand that dirty surroundings are not good,” he said.

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Standard Chartered Bank launches US$40 mn new head office building in Zambia

Standard Chartered Bank has officially launched its US$40m new head office building…reports Asian Lite News

President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema officiated at the event and un-veiled the plaque of this iconic, energy efficient building located in the new business district of Lusaka, Zambia.

Speaking during the event, Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO Africa and Middle East region for Standard Chartered Bank, re-affirmed the Bank’s continued commitment to Zambia as a key market and thanked the Zambian government for their partnership in key sectors of the economy. He re-assured the government that, “Standard Chartered remains firmly committed to Zambia – a commitment which is clearly demonstrated through our investment in a new head office building, as well as further investments into digital banking capabilities and key infrastructure projects. We also continue to invest in community initiatives such as Women in Tech, our flagship Futuremakers programme, which aims to lift participation of women by enabling them to grow their businesses through technology.”

Mr. Herman Kasekende, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia: “Standard Chartered Bank has a long history in Zambia dating back to 1906, when the first branch opened in Kalomo. We remain firmly committed to Zambia and the time came for us to consider a new location for our brand. It was also the right time for us to re-affirm our long-term commitment to Zambia and that is why we chose this new location in the emerging business district of Lusaka.”  He added, “That is why in my recent interactions with the key ministries, I have spoken about this new building with passion and pride.”

The President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, said that the new head office was an immovable asset which becomes an integral part of the national balance sheet, and underscores Standard Chartered Bank’s endurance, commitment and desire to building a better Zambia.

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Standard Chartered was the first bank to open in Zambia in 1906. 115 years on, the Bank shared its pride in being a pioneer in banking through various innovations. These include the first-ever – and only – end-to-end digital bank in Zambia where clients can open an account through the SC Mobile Banking App, without the need to physically visit a branch. The Bank is also proud of its new head office building, as it is the first ever EDGE certified building in Zambia.”

Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia, Dr. Caleb Fundanga, thanked the Head of State for officiating at the launch of the new building – calling it an ‘architectural marvel.’ He also re-affirmed the Bank’s commitment to being ‘Here for good.’

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Africa News News

Standard Chartered launches US$40mn HQ building in Zambia

Standard Chartered was the first bank to open in Zambia in 1906. 115 years on, the Bank shared its pride in being a pioneer in banking through various innovations

President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema officiated at the event and un-veiled the plaque of this iconic, energy efficient building located in the new business district of Lusaka, Zambia.

Speaking during the event, Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO Africa and Middle East region for Standard Chartered Bank, re-affirmed the Bank’s continued commitment to Zambia as a key market and thanked the Zambian government for their partnership in key sectors of the economy.

He re-assured the government that, “Standard Chartered remains firmly committed to Zambia – a commitment which is clearly demonstrated through our investment in a new head office building, as well as further investments into digital banking capabilities and key infrastructure projects. We also continue to invest in community initiatives such as Women in Tech, our flagship Futuremakers programme, which aims to lift participation of women by enabling them to grow their businesses through technology.”

Mr. Herman Kasekende, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia, said during the event, “Standard Chartered Bank has a long history in Zambia dating back to 1906, when the first branch opened in Kalomo. We remain firmly committed to Zambia and the time came for us to consider a new location for our brand. It was also the right time for us to re-affirm our long-term commitment to Zambia and that is why we chose this new location in the emerging business district of Lusaka.”  He added, “That is why in my recent interactions with the key ministries, I have spoken about this new building with passion and pride.”

The President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, said that the new head office was an immovable asset which becomes an integral part of the national balance sheet, and underscores Standard Chartered Bank’s endurance, commitment and desire to building a better Zambia.

ALSO READ: Zambia Marks Women’s Day

Standard Chartered was the first bank to open in Zambia in 1906. 115 years on, the Bank shared its pride in being a pioneer in banking through various innovations. These include the first-ever – and only – end-to-end digital bank in Zambia where clients can open an account through the SC Mobile Banking App, without the need to physically visit a branch. The Bank is also proud of its new head office building, as it is the first ever EDGE certified building in Zambia.”

Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia, Dr. Caleb Fundanga, thanked the Head of State for officiating at the launch of the new building – calling it an ‘architectural marvel.’ He also re-affirmed the Bank’s commitment to being ‘Here for good.’