BUUMBA CHIMBULU
FINANCE and National Planning Minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane has commended the resilience of Zambia’s private sector in the face of economic challenges, reaffirming Government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable growth.
Speaking during the official opening of the Zambia International Trade Fair, Dr Musokotwane said the Government had remained steadfast in its efforts to enhance national resilience, which in turn had empowered businesses to withstand economic pressures.
He cited the revival of the mining sector and the implementation of progressive energy policies as key milestones in the country’s economic recovery.
“The innovation has been to encourage the private sector to lead, with Government providing the enabling conditions. We are moving towards an era where we must demonstrate resilience by doing more to solve our own problems,” Dr Musokotwane said.
Meanwhile, First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Country Manager Dr Godwin Beene reaffirmed the mining giant’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s development agenda, particularly in driving economic transformation and inclusive growth.
“We are deeply committed to Zambia’s economic transformation. Our participation in the Trade Fair underscores our strategy to strengthen the country’s industrial base through local partnerships and enterprise development,” he said.
Dr Beene revealed that this year, FQM had sponsored 27 local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and commercial partners to exhibit in its pavilion at no cost.
“Building local capacity is not only good for the community—it makes good business sense. We believe in Zambians supplying Zambian mines, and we are investing in making that a reality,” he added.
The 27 participating SMEs form part of FQM’s supplier development programme, an initiative aimed at integrating local businesses into the mining supply chain through structured enterprise development, mentorship, access to finance, and skills training.
Dr Beene also underscored the importance of strategic partnerships with various institutions, describing them as essential frameworks for SME growth through training, financial support, and market linkages.
“These collaborations enable us to deliver structured enterprise development and build a thriving ecosystem of competitive Zambian businesses,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming FQM’s long-term vision for sustainable growth.
“We will continue to champion partnerships that promote sustainable, inclusive growth. We expect our SME partners not only to grow financially, but also in number, so that together we can unlock the full value of mining for the benefit of all Zambians,” Dr Beene said.
