April - June 2022, Quarter 2
THE WILSON AMCHAM M QUARTERLY ISSUE 18 • APRIL 2020
NEWSLETTER
2022 AMCHAM ZAMBIA Q1 NEWSLETTER
TABLE OF CONTENTS Future Farm Experience • P. 4 2022 AmCham AGM • P. 5 US Under Secretary Visit • P. 7 Benefits Per Tier • P. 8
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 2
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WELCOME TO QUARTER 2
Welcome to our second newsletter publication of the year 2022. As American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia Secretariat, we are delighted to share our activities for the period between April and June. The Chamber continues to be committed to executing its mandate. In the past quarter, we have continued to; advocate for our membership on various business-related issues, provide investment information, create a platform for networking and business linkages and conduct thought leadership trainings. Our aim is to serve our membership while increasing our value proposition. We have achieved this through various initiatives and activities centered on our five pillars. We have increased our interaction with the membership for the sole purpose of receiving feedback on the services we offer. This way, we continue to understand their business needs to provide them with effective service. The Chamber has continued to engage the Government while maintaining good relations. In the just ended quarter, the Chamber was engaged by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry to take part in the analysis on the Trademark Bill. We are pleased to report that we made submissions and attended consequent meetings in collaboration with our members. The Ministry has also engaged AmCham to take part in the stakeholder consultation meetings for the 2023 National Budget. Finally, we would like to thank you our membership for your unwavering support. Enjoy your read as you delve into AmCham's Quarter 2 Newsletter.
Chansa Mwila, Chief Executive Officer, American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia.
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 2
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CHAMBER ACTIVITIES DURING THE QUARTER CYBER SECURITY AND DATA PRIVACY TRAINING The cyberspace has been enjoyed by innumerable people globally for a long time now. However, cyber security has become a major source of concern and uncertainty with the rise in scammers and hackers in the recent past. To keep the membership and the public well informed on how to stay safe and reduce online risks, the American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia in conjunction with KPMG and Musa Dudhia & Co organized a Cyber Security and Data Privacy Training. The training which was conducted as a webinar via the Zoom Conferencing platform was held on 12th May 2022 from 3 to 4pm. The Webinar is an effort in line with the Chamber's Thought Leadership pillar. The training was conducted by Ms. Malala M. Simungala, Senior Manager Technology Advisory,KPMG Zambia and Mr. Emmanuel Manda, Associate, Musa Dudhia & Co.
OPINION ON FUEL PRICES IN ZAMBIA - TREVOR HAMBAYI The Government of the Republic of Zambia this year introduced the monthly revision of fuel prices, which depends on the international market prices each month. How sustainable is the monthly revision of fuel prices in Zambia? What are the effects of the monthly price adjustments? These are some of the questions that are flooding the minds of a number of Zambians. The American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia engaged an Economic Expert, Mr. Trevor Hambayi, who is also a Senior Partner at Development Finance Associates, to give his opinion on fuel prices in Zambia through a YouTube video. You can access the video HERE.
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 2
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AGCO FUTURE FARM EXPERIENCE
AGCO Martin Richenhagen Future Farm in conjunction with the American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia held an event dubbed, "The Future Farm Experience." This event was designed to give AmCham members a refreshing time away from the office, while providing an environment for networking and business linkages. The Future Farm Experience was designed to give each attendee a breath of fresh air as they toured around the Martin Richenhagen Future Farm and learned more about the programs offered at the facility. AGCO offers training programs that cover agronomy and improved farming practices. AGCO also has sponsorship packages which allow various companies to sponsor community groups to take up courses at the training facility. AmCham and AGCO have signed an MoU for the sponsorship of community groups to undergo training at the Future Farm. A number of AmCham members have indicated interest to be a part of this community transforming CSR project.
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 2
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2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia held its Annual General Meeting on 9th June 2022 at Taj Pamodzi Hotel. The AGM was a hybrid event which took the form of both a physical and virtual event. The opening remarks were given by the Charge d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Zambia, Martin Dale. He spoke of the US Government's belief that there were significant opportunities to strengthen its bilateral trade and investment relationship with the Republic of Zambia and in this regard the private sector is critical to this success. AmCham President, Ms. Lowani Chibesakunda gave her report which highlighted AmCham's success in executing its mandate through the five pillars: Advocacy, Investments, Networking, Business Linkages and Thought Leadership. This was followed by Secretariat's report presented by AmCham CEO Ms., Chansa Mwila. The report reflected AmCham's leap in the growth of its membership. AmCham Board Treasurer, Mrs. Masuzyo Muteto presented the Treasurer's report as she bade farewell to the Board as she has concluded her tenure of office. She reported a 32% increase in AmCham's surplus at the year end. The statement of comprehensive income also indicated a 846% increase from the previous year. Mr. Paul Kaluba, an outgoing Board Member, presented the Benefits Per Tier document, a new system of membership which was ratified by the membership during the AGM. The Chamber welcomed Mr. Roy Muyelu, CEO of Probase and Mr. John Samaras, CEO of SamPay as Board Members after a vote. Additionally, Mrs. Yande Mwenye was ratified as Board Treasurer. AmCham would like to thank Probase for taking the Gold Sponsorship package and and Sanlam for taking the Silver Sponsorship package.
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 2
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U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE VISITS ZAMBIA
From May 12 to 13, U.S. Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, Jose W. Fernandez visited Zambia. During his visit, he met with President Hakainde Hichilema and leaders from Zambia’s business community to highlight the benefits of private sector-led development, showcase successful ventures between U.S. and Zambian companies, and promote an enabling environment for trade and investment opportunities. On 12th May, the U.S. Embassy in Zambia hosted a reception for the U.S. Under Secretary, Jose Fernandez with members of Zambia’s business community to strengthen its partnership in boosting trade and investment in Zambia. A representation from AmCham's membership was in attendance.
MEMBER SITE VISITS In the past quarter, AmCham conducted a number of physical and virtual site visits to its membership. The Chamber has taken keen interest in staying updated with member companies' milestones and challenges in order to understand their needs. Some of the prominent issues that AmCham is preparing advocacy papers on from the matters arising from site visits include: 1. Localization of Data 2. Company Tax 3. The Employment Act Site visits are conducted in an interactive manner that allows for open conversations on how best AmCham can execute its mandate to the membership. In order to reach the whole membership, AmCham has drawn up a site visits schedule. In case you haven't been contacted yet, expect our email within the course of the year. AmCham remains committed to fostering trade between Zambia and the United States of America.
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 2
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2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 2
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UPCOMING EVENT GOLF DAY
NEW MEMBERS
Designed & Prepared by: Taizya S.A. Munyenyembe (Communications & Admin) With the support of: Tumelo Chitindi Bwalya (Business Development) & Chansa Mwila (CEO).
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