Africans In China

LUSAKA (Reuters) - China, the largest single investor in Zambia, is demanding an inquiry into the deaths of three of its nationals killed in robberies since the start of the year, officials said on Thursday.

In the latest incident, a Chinese construction worker was murdered in the capital Lusaka by a robber who also wounded his mother before stealing $5,000 and other personal items, the Times of Zambia newspaper reported.

“We are disturbed with the killings and it is for this reason that we have written to the Zambian government … and the (police) over the matter,” Fan Manjiang, the chief of political section at the Chinese embassy, told state media.

“We hope this can be investigated thoroughly.”

Zambian Homes Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani said investigations into the killings were under way.

“We are investigating all the cases and we will ensure that the killers are arrested and punished. Unfortunately you cannot say that such crimes are restricted to the Chinese,” Mangani told Reuters.

Official data shows that China has invested in excess of $1.2 billion mainly in Zambia’s mining industry, the economic lifeblood of the southern African country.

The government says an additional $4.2 billion in Chinese investments is expected to be poured into copper mining, manufacturing and agriculture, as the Asian country positions itself as a major economic partner for Zambia.

But Zambian trade unions have accused Chinese firms operating in the country of paying low wages and maintaining poor safety standards, although the government says the Chinese have taken measures to improve both wages and safety standards.

In 2005, riots by miners at the Chinese-owned Chambishi mine in the restive Copperbelt province left five Zambians wounded after they were shot by Chinese managers, following pay protests.

Police in South Africa have arrested suspects after the slaying of a Chinese man.

Tang Yiguang, a 33-year-old from Fujian province, was shot in the head on Sunday morning, apparently by armed robbers attempting to hold up his store in Vryheid, a town 400 km from Johannesburg.

Embassy officials are already liaising with investigators and warning that Chinese business people are becoming targets in the country.

“I contacted the police this morning,” said Lou Xiandi, counselor on security at China’s Embassy in South Africa.

“They have caught five of the eight suspects, including the suspected gunman. They have also found guns.”

Lou said the robbers also shot dead a local security guard before taking cash and goods from the supermarket, which specialized in the sale of Chinese products.

Tang’s father is on his way to the country and Tang’s brother-in-law is running the business.

“We will do what we can to help his father,” Lou said, adding that officials have visited Tang’s wife and relatives to express their condolences.

Police concluded on Monday that the killing was carried out by eight people, including Tang’s cashier and her relatives, said Liu Yantao, chief of China’s Consulate General in Durban.

Liu has asked police to step up patrols around Chinese businesses in the wake of the killing.

Around 300,000 Chinese people live in South Africa. In Vryheid, some 200 Fujian people run around 50 shops, said Lou.

He said Sunday’s robbery, the third in the country in a little more than a month, was “not accidental”.

“These recent cases show signs of employees conspiring with robbers,” Lou said.

On July 1, a Fujian native who ran a factory was robbed on pay day with collusion from an employee.

And on July 14, a Beijinger who ran a chicken farm was shot dead by two employees during a robbery.

Lou warned Chinese merchants in South Africa to be cautious.

Li Xinzhu, chairman of Fujian natives association in South Africa, said it is hard for Chinese businessmen to open bank accounts in cash, making them targets.

Fatal robbery in Zambia

On Monday morning, a Chinese man, surnamed Chen, was killed by a robber in Lusaka, capital of Zambia, according to China’s Embassy in Zambia.

His mother was seriously injured and was being treated in hospital. A mobile phone and cash were taken.

The case followed a slaying on April 22 in which a Chinese merchant was killed at his residence in Lusaka by robbers.

(ChinaDairly)

LUSAKA,  (Reuters) - China’s Jinchuan Group Ltd. will take a stake of about 51 percent in Zambia’s sole nickel mine Munali, which is due to resume output in September after stopping in March due to low prices, Zambia’s mines minister said.

Maxwell Mwale told Reuters on Wednesday that China’s largest nickel producer would re-start operations by next month once legal issues are sorted out.

Jinchuan officials are in Zambia to inspect the mine.

Mwale had previously said Jinchuan would re-launch Munali in August, and it would own more than 70 percent of the mine.

At the time of its closure, the underground mine was owned by Africa-focused miner Albidon Ltd (ALB.AX) (ALDq.L), through its subsidiary, Albidon Zambia Ltd.

“The other shareholder’s holding has been diluted. Jinchuan provided loans to Albidon and that has been converted into equity,” Mwale said.

“There are various other institutions in Australia, Europe, the United States of America and South Africa with shares in the mine.”

Munali, located around 60 km south of the capital Lusaka, had plans to produce 10,000 tonnes of nickel per year.

Nickel prices on the London Metal Exchange had fallen more than 80 percent to below $10,000 a tonne by the time the mine suspended operations, from a record high of $51,800 in May 2007 as demand from stainless steel producers slumped due to the global downturn. Prices have since ticked up.

A CHINESE national was yesterday killed when one of his employees struck him on the forehead with a pistol butt.

Police said the suspected killer, who used his employer’s pistol, was on the run and police were looking for him.

The Chinese, who owned a company located on Lumumba Road in Lusaka, was killed after a fracas with his employee over the salary increment.

Lusaka Province police chief, Greenwell Ng’uni said the employer, whom he just referred to as a foreign national, was killed at the company premises in the morning.

Mr Ng’uni said the alleged killer would soon be apprehended because the police managed to trace some of his workmates.

Sources said the worker wanted a salary increment but the Chinese man pulled his pistol with which he allegedly threatened to shoot the employee.

The worker, however, struggled and overpowered the Chinese and managed to get the gun from him.

The angry worker then hit the employer on his forehead, instantly killing him.
The man ran away before the police were called

[Times of Zambia

LUSAKA (Reuters) - China’s largest nickel producer Jinchuan Group Ltd. will take over Zambia’s sole nickel mine Munali next month after the operations were suspended in March due to low nickel prices, the mines minister said on Wednesday.

“Jinchuan will become the majority shareholders with above 70 percent of the shares,” Maxwell Mwale told Reuters in an interview.

“Officials from Jinchuan will be coming to Zambia next week to finalise the take over arrangements and we are hoping that they will take possession of the mine by the end of August.”

Production at Munali was targeted at 10,000 tonnes of nickel per year.

Nickel prices on the London Metal Exchange had fallen more than 80 percent to below $10,000 a tonne by the time the mine suspended operations, from a record high of $51,800 in May 2007 as demand from stainless steel producers slumped due to the global downturn. Prices have since ticked up.

(af.reuters.com)

LUSAKA (Reuters) - A Chinese firm plans to invest about $3.6 billion in copper exploration and mining in Zambia, reflecting growing Chinese interest in the country’s mineral wealth, a senior investment official said on Wednesday.

Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Spokeswoman Margaret Chimanse said Zambia and Zhonghui Mining Group signed an investment agreement on Tuesday.

“The $3.6 billion will be invested by Zhonghui in the first five years (from 2009) and it is likely to be increased depending on economic factors affecting the copper industry,” Chimanse told Reuters.

She said the Chinese firm also plans to construct a major copper smelter in Kitwe, 350 km (217 miles) north of the capital Lusaka, and that exploration of minerals by Zhonghui in the Northwestern and Copperbelt provinces of Zambia had already started.

Industry officials said the smelter’s capacity could be 300,000 tonnes per year.

Chimanse said Zhonghui Mining Group would set up projects to be implemented by its Zambia-registered subsidiaries for copper mining and exploration in the southern African country.

“The total number of jobs to be created directly by all the projects is 32,425. The project for copper refining will create 1,200 jobs,” Chimanse said.

The Chinese are currently developing mining infrastructure in Zambia and in March commissioned another 300,000 tonnes per year copper smelter in Chambishi, where up to 50 Chinese companies will begin to operate, under a separate $900 million programme.

Zambian authorities are waiving a 25 percent customs duty on imported equipment, 16.5 percent value added tax and several other taxes for Chinese companies investing in the Chambishi economic zone.

HIGER Bus Company of China has entered into a trade partnership with local bus operators under which the local transporters will be supplied with buses after making a minimum payment.

Higer Bus Company sales manager, Shawn Tan said in an interview at the just-ended Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola that under a special package, which was being implemented in partnership with Stanbic Bank, a number of local transport companies had started acquiring the buses.

Under the special business partnership, local bus operators are required to pay for the full cost of the new buses within two or three years.

Higer Bus Company, locally represented by Kinglong Motors, is a bus manufacturing company with a production capacity of 22,000 units annually.

Mr Shawn said the buses were not only cheap but had comparative advantages when compared to similar coaches from other parts of the world.

The Higer luxury coaches are powered by string cummis engines and have special safety gadgets and leather seats, among other things.

(ALLAFRICA)

The China National Electric Equipment Corporation (CNEEC) has shown interest in developing the Kafue Lower Gorge Hydro Power Station at a cost of $1.5 billion.

Corporation President, Zhao Ruolin, says the Chinese power company will source for the money if the Zambian government agrees to contribute fifteen per cent of the total cost.

Znbc’s Luckson Nthani reports that Mr. Zhao made the pledge in Beijing on Monday.

This was when a delegation of Zambian parliamentarians and government officials visited the Headquarters of CNEEC which is solely-owned by the Chinese government.

He also said CNEEC is willing to help Zambia to develop alternative sources of energy from bio-mass, thermal, solar and wind.

At the same meeting, Chief parliamentary Whip, Vernon Mwaanga thanked the government of China for supporting Zambia’s efforts to meet its energy needs.

And Commerce Minister Felix Mutati has invited the President of CNEEC, Mr. Zhao to Zambia in July to attend a SADC pledging conference for the Kafue Lower Gorge Power Station Project.

Mr. Mutati said Zambia’s power deficit needs urgent attention.

CNEEC has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with private investors in Zambia who are planning to develop a hydro-power station on the Kalungwishi River in the Luapula Province.

The Kalungwishi River Power Station is expected to cost $600 million.

[ZNBC]

(lusakatimes.com)

Chinese investment in Zambia is expected to hit $4 billion when Zhonghui Mining Group limited invests $3.6 billion in mining projects in North-Western and Luapula provinces.

Commerce Deputy Minister, Richard Taima says this makes China the single largest investor in Zambia.

Mr. Taima said this in Lusaka, Friday when he received a business delegation from China at his office.

The seven-member delegation is in Zambia for two days and will also visit Livingstone.

Mr. Taima paid tribute to economic relations that exist between Zambia and China particularly with china’s support in developing the economic Zone in Zambia.

Delegation leader, Chen Bing Hui said the team is in the country to explore investment opportunities in mining, automotive and furniture sectors among others.

He said the visit to Zambia is aimed at assessing the country’s investment climate and which areas of the economy offer the best investment opportunities.
(thelusakapaper.com)

LUSAKA (Reuters) -

China Nonferrous Metal Mining Corp. (CNMC) on Saturday pledged to invest $400 million in Zambia’s Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) after formally taking over the running of the mines, officials said.

Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale said CNMC would also develop the Mulyashi project, which previous owners of LCM had said could start producing 60,000 tonnes of copper cathode by 2010.

“It is the expectation of the government that CNMC will invest no less than $400 million in re-opening Baluba mine and developing the Mulyashi project,” Mwale said during the ceremony to hand over the mine to CNMC.

Both Baluba and Mulyashi are part of LCM, a joint venture of International Mineral Resources (IMR) and Bein Stein Resources Group (BSRG), which also operated Chambishi Metals Plc, the southern African country’s largest cobalt producer.

CNMC Vice President Tao Xinghu said CNMC would reopen Baluba and develop Mulyashi as soon as possible, but he gave no timeframe.

“For Mulyashi, we need to carry out (a new) study and make a new development plan,” Tao said.

The minister said the re-opening of the Baluba mine would make it possible to reemploy some of the 1,740 miners who were laid off after the mine was placed under care and maintenance at the end of last year.

CNMC’s Xinghu said at the ceremony the company had commissioned the Chambishi smelter after a $520 million investment in the operation and its support facilities.

Tao said the smelter, with an annual capacity of 150,000 tonnes, would help Zambia increase its output, estimated to reach 600,000 tonnes in 2009.

“Our investment in Zambia and in Luanshya aims for long-term development rather than for profits in a short time,” Tao said.

Mwale also said the government had raised its own stake in Luanshya to 20 percent from 15 percent, following the pledge it made earlier this year to raise state shareholding in all the mines to 35 percent in a bid to influence decisions in the running of the mines, the country’s economic lifeblood.

(Reporting Shapi Shacinda; Editing by Agnieszka Flak and Keiron Henderson)

Zambia, Africa’s top copper producer, has picked a Chinese firm to run a major mine, widening China’s influence in the sector at a time when the metal is rising on prospects of a global economic recovery.

LUANSHYA, ZAMBIA REUTERS -
Zambia, Africa’s top copper producer, has picked a Chinese firm to
run a major mine, widening China’s influence in the sector at a time when the
metal is rising on prospects of a global economic recovery.
Zambia’s President Rupiah Banda said China’s NFC Africa will take a
majority stake in the closed Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM), which will reopen
later in May.
The LCM, which was a joint venture of the Bein Stein Resources Group
(BSRG) and International Mineral Resources (IMR), shut the mine in December,
citing lower metal prices.
“The major concern of most of the people in the country is how
much capital will they inject into that mine, we know that they understand
cost implications, but it’s one thing to believe you can put it as part of the
other mines that you own and another to inject the 500 million plus capital
required to inject into that mine and revive it, and there are huge
liabilities which will of course be taken up by the government I am sure, and
whether government will really pay off the miners retrenched and who won’t be
absorbed, is another question because this becomes a hazard as well,”
said Chibamba Kanyama, an economic analyst, in Lusaka.
The metal, used in construction, has doubled in value since the start
of the year on the back of hopes that falling inventories signal a recovery in
demand, and the mine’s re-opening is a boost to Zambia’s economic
lifeblood.
“Most of these other people who come on board here, come because
of the activities in the mining sector, so when the signal has been sent again
that there has been a new buyer into the Luanshya Copper Mines, it sends a
positive signal that Zambia is not as risky an economy as has been perceived.
There is still potential in this country and we believe that other potential
investors in other sectors including the resource investment sector, or the
extraction industry will begin to see that after all it is not as bad as we
thought,” Kanyama said.
In what is a now familiar sight across Africa, China’s drive to secure
minerals, oil and a place for its workers and industries to thrive is
converging with Zambian government’s plans to tap the potential of its copper
mines.
China’s Nonferrous Metal Mining and Yunnan Copper Industry are about to
commission the 300 million US dollar Chambishi copper smelter, to produce
150,000 million tonnes a year.
Other Chinese companies have promised to invest even more in the
sector.
The government had said it will increase its stakes in all copper mines
to between 25 percent and 35 percent from about 15 percent, in order to
exercise more influence on their running, and prevent closures that could
result in job cuts.
Luanshya was to have been the test case in the scheme, which analysts
and companies said may scare off investors already unnerved by the global
downturn, hurt plans to boost copper output and further demoralise
workers.
“The social discomfort of the people of Luanshya has worsened over
the years and they have lost faith in any new owner or in any new ventures or
initiatives to do with Luanshya mine and as a result you find most of the
miners may go into the mine but for temporally gains only, may not fully not
fully commit themselves but on the plus side and I think it’s a big plus we
have saved the mine from collapse just the maintenance costs at the time when
the previous owners left have been huge, extremely huge such that the benefit
of closing off the mine outweighed the benefit of maintaining it,” added
Kanyama.
Copper contributes 63 percent to Zambia’s foreign exchange.

(mpelembe.blogware.com)

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says it is unfair to label all Chinese investors as exploitative.

ZCTU president Leonard Hikaumba told ZANIS in an interview that some Chinese investors have proved to be good investors.

Mr Hikaumbais sheduled to meet president Banda at Hippo Lodge to discuss labour related issues

Mr. Hikaumba further noted that exploitation of workers was not exclusive to some Chinese investors as other employers were equally guilty of mistreatment of workers.

He said it is therefore not fair for the people to look at Chinese investors as the only employers that exploit workers in the country.

Mr. Hikaumba has however appealed to NFCA, the Chinese investor that has taken over Luanshya Mine, to abide by the labour laws.

He urged the Chinese investor to have respect for Human Rights and offer decent conditions of service.

Mr. Hikaumba said the investor should also seek to ensure Mine safety standards are upheld.

He said the Labour Movement would be vigilant in ensuring that labour laws are strictly adhered.

And the Forum for Democratic Process (FODEP) has commended government for securing an investor to run Luanshya Mine.

FODEP President Stanly Mhango said the Mines Workers’ Union of Zambia (MWUZ) should engage the Chinese investor to orient them on the working conditions and the labour laws of the country.

Mr. Mhango appealed to Government and MWUZ take up the challenge of ensuring that workers at the Mine are not exploited by the Chinese.
(zambianwatchdog.com)

By Shapi Shacinda

LUANSHYA, Zambia,  (Reuters) - Zambia, Africa’s top copper producer, on Friday picked a Chinese firm to run a major mine, widening China’s influence in the sector at a time when the metal is rising on prospects of a global economic recovery.

Zambia’s President Rupiah Banda said China’s NFC Africa will take a majority stake in the closed Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM), which will reopen later in May.

Its previous owners shut the mine in December and said its Luanshya’s Chambishi Metals Plc and Baluba copper mine units had been making losses due to lower metal prices, leading to job losses.

The metal, used in construction, has doubled in value since the start of the year on the back of hopes that falling inventories signal a recovery in demand, and the mine’s re-opening is a boost to Zambia’s economic lifeblood.

Banda, who has strongly backed China’s involvement in Zambia’s economy, said NFC Africa was chosen to run Luanshya ahead of two other bidders — Luanshya Mineral Resources and London-listed Vedanta Resources Plc (VED.L).

“It is now with great pleasure that I announce the sale of the 85 percent shares to China Nonferrous Metals Mining, commonly known as NFCA,” Banda told the mine’s former workers.

“So you miners can go back to work again by the end of this month. We expect new jobs to be created when the development works are done at Mulyashi,” he said.

The LCM, which was a joint venture of the Bein Stein Resources Group (BSRG) and International Mineral Resources (IMR), also shut down the Chambishi Metals Plc, Zambia’s largest cobalt producer, and retrenched 1,700 miners.

The 85 percent stake now held by NFC Africa was previously owned by Enya Holdings, which owns BSGR and IMR.

CHINESE INFLUENCE

In what is a now familiar sight across Africa, China’s drive to secure minerals, oil, and a place for its workers and industries to thrive is converging with Zambian government plans to tap the potential of its copper mines.

China’s Nonferrous Metal Mining and Yunnan Copper Industry are about to commission the $300 million Chambishi copper smelter, to produce 150,000 million tonnes a year. Other Chinese companies have promised to invest even more in the sector.

Banda did not explain why Zambia did not take a 25 percent shares in Luanshya mine, as it had said last month.

The government had said it will increase its stakes in all copper mines to between 25 percent and 35 percent from about 15 percent, in order to exercise more influence on their running, and prevent closures that could result in job cuts.

Luanshya was to have been the test case in the scheme, which analysts and companies said may scare off investors already unnerved by the global downturn, and hurt plans to boost copper output in the southern African country.

“I want you to know that the drop in metal prices has hit us all hard in Zambia,” Banda said. “While our people here in Luanshya may have gone without food, your government has also been robbed of revenues in the form of taxes.”

Copper contributes 63 percent to Zambia’s foreign exchange.

Banda said NFC Africa, a subsidiary of China Non-ferrous Metals Corporation (CNMC), would reopen the Baluba copper mine and return it to pre-closure production levels of around 30,000 tonnes copper cathode per year.

(Writing by Shapi Shacinda and James Macharia)

By ANGELA CHISHIMBA

THE Chinese government says it will import more finished goods from Zambia to help the country overcome effects of the global financial crisis.

And the Chinese government has distanced itself from the US$53 million mobile clinic deal, saying it is a private company from that country that gave the Ministry of Health a business proposal which the Zambian government is free to take or not.

Visiting Chinese government’s special representative on African Affairs, Liu Guijin told journalists in Lusaka yesterday that his country imported more than it exported to Zambia.

“We wish to import more value-added and finished products from Zambia and other African countries so that they benefit from our assistance,” he said.

He said although copper prices have declined, the Chinese government is encouraging its people to expand their businesses in the mining sector in Zambia.

Mr Liu challenged African countries to produce more products that will meet the demand of the Chinese market.

He said the Chinese government is committed to giving zero tariffs to countries such as Zambia in its trade facilitation.

“We have opened up ourselves as a country and are willing to trade with African countries,” he said.
Mr Liu also said his country encourages Chinese investors to transfer technological skills to the local people.

He said Chinese investors are encouraged to employ as many local people as possible as a way of creating jobs.

Mr Liu said investors from his country have contributed positively to revenue, social and economic development and creation of jobs in Zambia.
And Chinese Embassy Charge D’Affaires Wang Ni said a Chinese company approached the Zambian Ministry of Health with a proposal of introducing mobile clinics.
He said this is in a bid to promote advanced equipment in the health sector.

Mr Wang, however, said it is up to the Zambian government to assess and decide whether or not mobile clinics are suitable for the country.

He said it is difficult for him to share the Chinese experience on mobile clinics because the two countries’ economies are different.

“In our case, we have thousands of hospitals which take a lot of resources to equip with drugs,” he said.

Mr Wang said his government has no hand in the deal.
And Mr Liu said his government is holding discussions with stakeholders on the best approach to make the Tanzania-Zambia railways economically viable.
“We are open to constructive ideas,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has provided US$10 million towards the economic recovery of Zimbabwe.

Mr Liu said out of the money provided, US$5 million is towards reducing that country’s budgetary difficulties and the other towards humanitarian assistance.

He said China has encouraged its people to invest in Zimbabwe to help that country recover from its economic depression.
(daily-mail.co.zm)

The 330-kilovolt Lumwana substation in Zambia, was recently put into operation and has started to supply power to local copper mines, according to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC). It was contracted to be built by the Electric Power of Henan under the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC).

Zambian President Rupiah Banda attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and highly praised the project, recognizing the outstanding contribution SGCC has made to stimulate the local economy.

Zambia’s 330-kilovolt Lumwana substation is the electricity transmission and conversion project with the highest voltage class, and is the biggest contract signed by a Chinese enterprise for this type of project. It is also the power grid project with the highest voltage class in Zambia. SGCC’s Electric Power of Henan and China Henan International Cooperation Group Company jointly participated in the bidding to win this project, which had a total contract value of 22.22 million USD.

The enterprises under SGCC were responsible for the project’s design, installation and debugging, while Chinese manufacturers produced all the major equipment, effectively boosting Chinese power technology and equipment exports.

By People’s Daily Online

POLICE in Lusaka have arrested five suspects in connection with the murder of a Chinese national at his residence in Makeni area last Wednesday.

The robbers got away with a Mitsubishi Pajero and an undisclosed sum of foreign currency after killing him.

Police spokesperson, Bonnie Kapeso said police had recovered the stolen vehicle, one AK 47 rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition and an undisclosed amount of money.

Mr Kapeso said in a statement that the first three suspects from Kanyama Township were arrested on Saturday while the other two were arrested in Chawama on Sunday.

He said among the suspects was a former gardener of the Chinese who is alleged to be the mastermind of the murder.

“The deceased Chinese national was ambushed at his residence at about 23:30 hours when he was struck with an iron bar and left dead by criminals who also stole his Mitsubishi Pajero,” he said.

Mr Kapeso said the robbers later abandoned the vehicle because the immobiliser was activated.

The five suspects were detained in police custody and will appear in court soon.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of police, Francis Kabonde has said professionalism among police officers is critical in national development and human rights enhancement.

Mr Kabonde said in Lusaka yesterday that a country in which police officers respected the rights of suspects did not only improve the nation’s image but also attracted investors.

Speaking at Lilayi Police Training College when he officiated at the opening of the criminal investigation and training of trainers workshop, Mr Kabonde said no investor would open up businesses in a country whose police officers violated human rights.

The training programme for the police officers is sponsored by the United States (US) government and is aimed at improving investigation of gender-based crimes among the officers.

Mr Kabonde thanked the US government for sponsoring the course, saying the police officers would acquire effective and efficient investigative skills.

He appealed to the participants to apply the acquired knowledge to their investigative workplaces and share it with other officers who had no chance of participating.

Earlier, US ambassador to Zambia, Donald Booth said his government had taken the global lead on a wide ranging and ambitious programme designed to fight gender-based violence.

Mr Booth said the Zambian legal system should be strengthened to protect women and punish violators.

(ALLAFRICA)

Chinese textile experts are assessing the Zambia China Mulungushi Textile in Kabwe to ascertain the viability of the factory.

Defence Minister, George Mpombo, says the team, which was in the country about two weeks ago is assessing the production capacity of the textile plant.

Mr. Mpombo told ZNBC news in an interview that the experts also want to assess capital injection requirements.

The Minister said the technical report on the plant will be ready by mid next month.

Mr. Mpombo said officials from Zambia have also been invited to travel to China to discuss the matter.

Over one thousand workers lost their jobs after the Kabwe factory closed about two years ago.

(znbc.co.zm)

Lusaka - Zambia’s main opposition leader Michael Sata has strongly opposed a reported request by China to plant 2 million hectares of the jatropha plant in the southern African country for the production of biofuels. During a discussion programme on local radio Thursday, Sata said such a move would disadvantage Zambians, who are scrambling for land to grow food.

Earlier this week, Biofuels Assocation of Zambia (BAZ) head Tyson Chisambo was quoted as saying that China had made a request for 2 million hectares of land to produce the non-food crop, whose oil is used to produce biodiesel.

The deal would be the biggest lease of land in the country, which faces food shortages following severe flooding and drought during last year’s growing season.

The staple food - maize - has shot up in price, in part because of the global economic slowdown, which has weakened the local currency, the kwacha, rendering imported machinery more expensive.

Sata, a longtime critic of China’s involvement in Zambia, said the project would only benefit the Chinese labourers he expected would be brought in to work on the plantation.

Government officials argue that Chinese companies are the best-placed to invest in Africa in the current economic climate.

Chinese companies already own a number of copper mines in Zambia. China is also developing economic zones in the north-central Copperbelt and the capital Lusaka, where Chinese manufacturing, technology and trading companies will operate tax-free.

The government of Africa’s largest copper is looking to biodiesel, among other things, to solve the country’s biting energy shortages.

Mines rely on diesel-powered generators to keep critical equipment running during frequent power outages.

The reported Chinese project follows a bid by South Korean company Daewoo to obtain a 99-year lease on 1 million hectares of land on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar to produce corn and palm oil.

That project, which had also caused controversy, has been called off by Madagascar’s new leadership.
(earthtimes.com)

By Muchena Zigomo

MIDRAND, South Africa, (Reuters) - China has asked Zambia to plant 2 million hectares of jatropha in the Southern African country for production of biofuels, the Biofuels Association of Zambia (BAZ) said on Tuesday.

“China has approached the Zambian government to plant 2 million hectares of jatropha in Zambia,” BAZ director Tyson Chisambo told Reuters on the sidelines of a biofuels conference.

Jatropha is a non-food crop whose oil can be used to produce biodiesel. It can be grown on semi-arid land and poses less of a threat to food production than other biofuel feedstocks such as grains and vegetable oils, supporters argue.

Chisambo said Zambia currently had only 10,000 hectares under jatropha, though his association was lobbying for an increase in the acreage.

“We have investors in biofuels from some other countries such as Australia, and there are companies supporting outgrower schemes in the country, so it is a work in progress,” he said.

Zambia is well-endowed with both surface and underground water, and its climate is suited to a wide range of crops including wheat, soya bean, cotton, jatropha and sugar cane.

Currently only 15 percent of the 25 million hectares of arable land are being used for food crop production, a Frost & Sullivan analysis said.

Chisambo told the conference earlier that Zambia’s government had approved an energy policy which incorporates renewable energy and biofuels.

“(The government) has also issued a statutory instrument legalising the issue of biofuels being traded as a petroleum product…and issued standards for both biodiesel and bioethanol,” he said.

“What is remaining is the incentive…and declaring the industry as a priority sector, and obviously deliverables such as blending ratios and timelines.”

He said possible incentives for the sector included putting in place duty free arrangements for machinery imports and funding incentives.

“On the funding incentives we are looking at things like interest free loans or long term payment plans to encourage investment,” he said. (Writing by Agnieszka Flak; editing by James Jukwey)