By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
INNOVATIVE lending programmes to increase private sector involvement in key economic supply chains have been designed and implemented by Atlas Mara, says its acting Chief Executive Officer, Bobbline Cheembela.
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According to Mr Cheembela, these had been in alignment with Government policy changes.
“We are doing our part to ensure we support the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through our Atlas Mara Business Club, which has this year held capacity-building workshops in Lusaka, the Copperbelt and Livingstone,” he said during a luncheon at the 95th Agriculture Commercial Show in Lusaka.
Mr Cheembela also announced that the bank had robust collaborations with regional and global institutions that had enhanced trade facilitation and investment promotion.
He said the bank had positioned itself to play an enhanced role in Zambia’s economic development as it was on a journey to merge operations with Access Bank Zambia.
The merger, he said, would create a bigger and stronger bank that would greatly contribute to intra – Africa trade and increase access to financial services to the majority of our people in this country.
“The merged bank to be rebranded as Access Bank Zambia Limited, will become part of a large network that is playing a vital role as Africa’s gateway to the world,” he said.
On the show, Mr Cheembela said: “we believe this show is one of the avenues for promoting inclusive economic transformation.”
The theme of this year’s show is “Inclusive Economic Transformation.”
At the same function, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga, said the show provided an opportunity to drive economic recovery.
Mr Mulenga said the progressive theme considered the interdependence between economic growth and social protection as well as the interface between economic sectors and social sectors.
“As you know, the show brings together exhibitors from different industries with representation of products that support different value chains in both the agricultural and commercial sectors.
“I am therefore hopeful that this year’s show will once again provide a platform for enhancing business and market linkages across all sectors of our economy as well as strengthening communication and business relations between exhibitors and potential customers,” he said.
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