Standard Chartered Banks Razia Khan and Federated Investors (UK) LLP Mohammed Elmi court EAZ
Issued by Mutisunge Zulu
National Secretary – Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ)
Thursday 1st November 2018
Standard Chartered Banks Razia Khan a banker ad ecoomist from Botswana
Works ad Supply Minister Felix Chipota
Mutati, a former Finance Minister with former EAZ President Dr. Chrispin Mphuka — at InterContinental Lusaka
Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Chief Economist for Africa and Middle East Global Research – Razia Khan and Federated Investors (UK) LLP (a privately owned investment manager based in London) – Portfolio Manager for Emerging Markets Fixed Income (EMFI) Mohammed Elmi, on 31 Oct. met with the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) at Hotel Intercontinental in Lusaka to discuss the economic outlook for Zambia. Accompanying Khan was Executive Head of Treasury for Zambia and Southern Africa – Mwaba Kabwe and Head of Global Banking for Zambia – Emmanuel Banda. The EAZ was represented by its president Dr. Lubinda Habazoka, National Secretary – Mutisunge Zulu, Executive Director – Mirriam Nachilima and ZIPAR Senior Research Fellow – Caesar Cheelo.
Lubinda Haabazoka is EAZ President at PMRC
The EAZ re-iterated positive economic outlook for the copper producer, giving assurance to the Federated Investors (FI) whose fund comprises of emerging market fixed income assets to include Zambia’s foreign currency denominated (Eurobonds) and kwacha assets, that Zambia will not default on its obligations whatsoever when they fall due. The Association stated that Zambia’s macroeconomic fundamentals remain bullish and solid despite structural issues on account of balance sheet vulnerabilities as a consequence of debt sustainability concerns.
Infrastructure spend has been cited as the major contributor to the current debt position which Zambia is addressing through its medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) as the Ministry of Finance seeks to restore the nation to fiscal fitness.
EAZ at State House
Zambia has continued to be an attractive investment hub as evidenced by an influx of investment projects post successful hosting of investment expos aimed at achieving the requisite visibility for opportunities, the EAZ said.
The EAZ further added that it is of the view that Zambia needs to get onto an IMF program, aligned with the nation’s economic stabilisation and growth initiatives which would then boost both local and foreign investor confidence.
The first ever economic summit will be held in Livingstone mid-year of 2019 at which various economists and related fields would be expected to convene to present papers that would
provide solutions to the current macroeconomic challenges facing the copper producer, the
EAZ advised.
Issued by: Mutisunge Zulu National Secretary – EAZ
