07.05.2022 New Dawn One Year Later

The Year-In-Review ~ “New Dawn One Year Later- What was promised, what has been achieved and what needs to be done?”

The European Union- Zambia Business Club (EUZBC) was pleased to host The Year-In-Review “New Dawn One Year Later – What was promised, what has been achieved and what needs to be done?” held on September 7^th 2022. The event was aimed at reviewing the business environment in the country since the new Zambian Government came into office in August 2021. It was also an opportunity for key Government Ministries to share insights on possible policy and regulatory measures that will be prioritised in the next budget cycle.

Ninety (90) participants attended, including members of the EUZBC, representatives of Foreign Embassies and High Commissions present in Zambia, and representatives from the Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

The event was opened by the EUZBC Board President Mr. Mark Lüring with welcoming remarks; he congratulated the UPND Government for having accomplished one year in office and noted that the current event was aimed at giving the Government an opportunity to brief the private sector on what the “New Dawn Government” had promised, what had so far been achieved, and future policy priorities. He further highlighted that the presence of the Minister of Finance and National Planning was a clear indication of the Government’s willingness to engage with the Zambia private sector on important issues relating to private sector development in the country

Following Mr. Lüring’s remarks, Mr. Bruno Hanses, Chargé d’Affaires of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Zambia and COMESA congratulated the EUZBC Board for identifying a very timely theme, managing to assemble a high-profile panel with eminent personalities, and for assembling the great number of participants which testified to the EUZBC’s ability to attract decision-makers with a special blend of substantive interest on political and economic related issues which are important to the country’s development. Mr. Hanses also recalled some of the highlights made during the previous events and the first ever EU-Zambia Economic Forum held in May 2022; including the emergence of green economy as an importance policy perspective to Zambia’s economic transformation process, the role of the private sector in the country’s governance efforts and restoration of Zambia’s economic development process, and the Government’s commitment to addressing bottlenecks experienced by businesses.

The Minister for Finance and National Planning Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane gave the keynote speech; through which he highlighted the Government’s responsibility and commitment in providing a business enabling environment as part of measures to facilitate the country’s economic development, create employment, and reduce poverty. He noted that the country’s high debt was unsustainable as it had proved to be a significant challenge in managing the fiscal policy. He further noted that the Government had taken a bold decision to be on the IMF bailout programme in order to resolve the unsustainable debt level. Additionally he underlined the need to balance the Government’s promises with the reality of economic challenges and the need for the private sector to partner with the Government in addressing key policy priorities. Going forward, the Minister noted the need for increased Public-Private Partnership on investment in physical infrastructure particularly roads, and the need for investment into the manufacturing sector to in order to promote strong backward and forward linkages with other sectors such as agriculture and mining

Following the insightful presentation by the Minister, a panel discussion was held to review the business environment in the country over the past year, what the new Government has achieved, and the priorities being addressed. The panel discussions were graced by Mr. Albert Halwampa (Acting General Director, Zambia Development Agency), and Mutisunge Zulu (Chief Risk Officer, Economist and Financial Analyst at ZANACO). Mr. Mafipe Chungu of KPMG facilitated the panel discussions, which gave a perfect opportunity for EUZBC members to interact and network with Government policy makers.

The panel discussions were followed by a light networking cocktail for further interactions and networking.

To all our members who have not yet paid your annual membership subscription, please do so without further delay to enjoy the numerous benefits the EUZBC has to offer. If you have not yet received an invoice for 2022 membership fees, please feel free to reach out to our secretariat on email [email protected]

Agenda

16:00-16:30	Registration of participants
16:15-16:30	Arrival of Guest Minister, Acting Permanent Secretary, and other dignitaries
16:30-16.35	Welcome Remarks by Mr. Mark Lüring, President of the EUZBC Board
16:35-16:40	Remarks by Bruno HANSES, Chargé d’affaires a.i Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Zambia and COMESA
16:40-17:00	Key note speeches by:
	The Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP.
17:00-18:00	Open discussion (Question & Answer)
Moderator:	Mr Mafipe Chungu, KPMG
Discussants:	The Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP.
	The Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry, Mrs. Nalituba Mwale
	Mutisunge Zulu, Chief Risk Officer ZANACO, Economist and Financial Analyst
18:00-18:15	Closing
18:15-19:30	Networking Cocktail