CLEANERS DEMAND FOR PARTNERSHIPS WITH FOREIGN COMPANIES

By NAMO PHIRI

THE Cleaners Association of Zambia (CAZ) has called on the Government to actualize the local Content Bill and allow for local companies to partner with foreign companies in the awarding of contracts.

Commenting on Minister of Commerce and Trade Chipoka Mulenga’s remarks where he said there was need for foreign companies to be encouraged to partner with Zambian companies if they wanted to be awarded contracts at Konkola Copper Mine and Mopani Copper Mine, Association President Lawrence Makumbi said the overall solution to this challenge was the Local Content Bill.

He said the Government had on several occasions announced that foreign companies would have to partner with local companies in order to be awarded contracts, a move which he said had not been actualized.

He said the Local Content Bill was, therefore, vital if the policy was to come to fruition.

“We have been on this path before, merely asking these foreigners that are operating in Zambia to partner with local companies has not worked and it will not work” Mr. Makumbi said.

He said the Government should give local companies the Local Content Bill so that it acts as a backup when foreign companies come in.

He said the Local Content Bill will give Zambian companies the ability to be in charge and be able to call the shots when need be which will also ensure that money remains and is circulated within the country.

He said local companies had been disadvantaged owing to the fact that some of them did not have the financial capacity to execute certain contracts.

“If we do not have the Local Content Bill, we shall continue to be spectators and watch as foreigners continue to fully benefit from our resources,” he said. 

He added that having the Local Content Bill in place will not only help the local companies but also ensure that forex was retained in the country’s economy.