January-March 2022, Quarter 1
M
THE WILSON AMCHAM
QUARTERLY I S S U E
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•
A P R I L
2 0 2 0
NEWSLETTER
2 0 2 2
A M C H A M
Q 1
Z A M B I A
N E W S L E T T E R
TABLE OF CONTENTS Economic Outlook • P. 3
Cheque Donation • P. 4
Symposium • P. 5
Thought Leadership • P. 6
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 1
PAGE 2
WELCOME TO QUARTER 1
Welcome to our first newsletter publication of the year 2022. As American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia Secretariat, we are pleased to give you a glimpse into our activities covering January through March.
Following a fruitful and progressive 2021, that was painted with lifeful colors of growth, we are looking forward to a greater year ahead with you, our members.
As we have continually done in the past years, the Chamber endeavoured to gather advocacy topics in our quest to be the mouthpiece of the business community, while creating a platform for networking and business linkages, thought leadership and investments.
AmCham has continually placed a high priority on engaging with the Government as evidenced through our hosting of the Commerce and Trade Symposium with Hon. Mulenga Chipoka MP, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Industry. This is in view of our continued effort to engage with policy makers for better positioning and alignment to key Government pronouncements.
As a nation, we have seen an increase in the confidence of various local and international parties in the Government. This has in turn heightened the trade links between Zambia and the United States.
On a sad note, the country lost its fourth Republican President, H.E. Rupiah Banda on 11th March, 2022. Zambia's late president was an icon of democracy, peace and unity. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Finally,
we
would
like
to
thank
you
our
membership
for
your
continued
support.
We
look
forward
to
engaging you on various matters that speak relevance to the growth of businesses. For any inquiries or feedback, feel free to contact us through the details provided on the last page of this publication.
Chansa Mwila, Chief Executive Officer, American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia.
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 1
PAGE 3
CHAMBER ACTIVITIES DURING THE QUARTER ECONOMIC OUTLOOK PANEL DISCUSSION
I
n the picture above (left to right):
At
the
Outlook
beginning Panel
of
the
Discussion
Mr. Humphrey Mulenga, Dr. Austin Mwape, Mrs. Bernadette Deka-Zulu, Mr. Andrew Chibuye
year,
the
which
American
was
Chamber
premiered
on
of
Commerce
AmCham
in
Zambia's
Zambia
held
YouTube
an
Economic
channel
on
27th
January 2022.
Topics discussed included; the GDP growth rate, inflation rate, exchange rates, monetary policy, IMF deal
with
Zambia
and
a
look
at
the
mining,
agricultural
and
energy
sectors.
These
topics
were
scrutinized in terms of their performance in the past year and the projections for the year 2022.
The discussion was hosted by Mr. Humphrey Mulenga - Managing Partner, Deloitte Zambia, while the panelists were: Mr. Andrew Chibuye - Country Senior Partner, PwC Zambia; Mrs. Bernadette Deka-Zulu -
Executive
Director,
PMRC
Zambia;
and
Dr.
Austin
Mwape
-
ABSA
Board
Chairman
&
former
BoZ
Deputy Governor.
This discussion was sponsored by Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia, PwC Zambia and Latitude 15.
More details on this discussion in AmCham Zambia's forthcoming first ever Economic Outlook to be published in May.
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 1
PAGE 4
AMCHAM MAKES A DONATION TO CIRCLE OF HOPE
The
American
Chamber
of
Commerce
in
Zambia
made
a
donation
to
Circle
of
Hope,
a
charity
organization working in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
During
a
President,
Cheque Ms.
Hand
Lowani
Over
Ceremony
Chibesakunda
held
at
presented
Latitude a
cheque
15
Hotel
valued
on at
17th
January
K28,872.69
to
2022, Circle
AmCham of
Hope
Executive Director, Mr. Gibstar Makangila.
"It gives us great joy to be able to offer this donation to Circle of Hope," Ms. Chibesakunda remarked.
The donation was a percentage of the proceeds from the 2021 Golf Day. The event was made possible by
the
sponsorship
of
Citi
Bank,
Coca
Cola,
Obmac
Systems
and
other
generously to ensure its success.
AmCham would like to appreciate its membership for the continued support.
organizations
who
gave
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 1
PAGE 5
COMMERCE AND TRADE SYMPOSIUM WITH HON. CHIPOKA MULENGA
The American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia in partnership with Unicaf University Zambia held a Commerce and Trade Symposium on the 17th of February 2022. This symposium focused on the policy direction in commerce and trade for the country, to enable Chamber members align their investments accordingly.
The
Symposium
was
moderated
by
Mr.
Mafipe
Chunga,
from
KPMG
with
Honourable
Chipoka Mulenga the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry as Guest Speaker.
SALIENT DISCUSSION POINTS 1. Zambia’s ambition on trade Government is working towards exporting goods with value, as opposed to exporting raw materials. 2. To create an enabling environment for both local and foreign investors, Government is ensuring that there are reasonable and consistent policies, among other measures. 3. How ready is Zambia for the AfCFTA? The AfCFTA has so far seven clauses that do not support the growth policies of the country. Therefore, this is still being negotiated and will not be enforced unless these are adjusted.
The discussion also covered investments resulting from the Dubai Expo visit, investing in research and development for better trading opportunities, and how Zambia can position itself to benefit from the electric vehicle industry as copper is the most vital material used.
For more information on the Symposium, look out for AmCham Zambia's Policy Review Quarter 1.
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 1
PAGE 6
CROSS-CULTURAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING (WEBINAR)
In
line
with
development
our
Thought
trainings,
the
Leadership
pillar,
American
which
Chamber
of
promotes
Commerce
speaker in
series
Zambia
held
and a
professional
Cross-Cultural
Management webinar on the 3rd of March 2022 from 14:00 to 15:30 CAT.
This
training
was
facilitated
by
Dr.
Tom
Bussen,
an
avid
cross-cultural
researcher
who
has
book
publications on International Compliance Management, Public Sector Administration in Central Asia, and
Global
Leadership.
Among
other
things,
this
training
focused
on
helping
individuals
in
the
international sphere to better understand cross-cultural communication within the business context.
CHAMBER UPDATE INTRODUCING OUR NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Tumelo Chitindi Bwalya holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Zambia in Economics and Public Administration. She brings with her experience from both the public and private sectors. Tumelo has worked with government under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry
as
well
as
the
Ministry’s
Country
Programs
with
United
Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). She has also worked with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development with the
aim
of
assisting
the
youth
to
take
a
leading
role
in
the
development of Zambia. In more recent times, she has worked with the
private
sector
Communications public
signal
as
Corporate
Company
distributor.
Limited
Tumelo
is
Sales
the an
only
Manager government
innovative
team
of
Topstar
authorized player
that
aims to use her skills to achieving the overall goals and objectives of the Chamber.
AMCHAM QUARTERLY
PAGE 7
2022 AMCHAM QUARTER 1
PAGE 8
NEW MEMBERS
Designed & Prepared by: Taizya With the support of: Tumelo
S.A. Munyenyembe (Communications & Admin) Chitindi Bwalya (Business Development) &
Chansa Mwila (CEO).
CONTACT US: www.amchamzambia.com info@amchamzambia.com
+260 975 028 026 +260 955 689 301