Daily Nation Newspaper

ABSA OFFLOADS K630M STATE URGED TO CRAFT ECONOMIC REBOUND 6 …as debt talks continue

Tuesday 2 February, 2021 RELIEF FUNDS

- By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

TOBACCO FIRM EXCELS

GOVERNMENT should continue negotiatio­ns with creditors in the hope of securing a debt service standstill while putting in place the necessary fundamenta­ls for

DESPITE COVID-19 IMPACT

the economy to rebound.

Targeted Medium Term Refinancin­g The By necessary BUUMBA fundamenta­ls CHIMBULU

Facility.

should aim to achieve some

A

“The Bank continues to assess semblance BOUT of recovery K630 as million has been

customer credit requiremen­ts to Government extended continues with to customers by negotiatio­ns Absa with Bank creditors, Zambia says under the ensure that they receive support in Centre Covid-19 for Trade payment Policy and and relief packthe prescribed parameters,” he said. Developmen­t ages between (CTPD), April Senior and October, He Mr said Kimesh Absa said Bank the 2021 Zambia certificat­ion on employer brand while the organisati­on Researcher-Legal, By BUUMBA CHIMBULU Chileshe

2020. April 14, this year was the first fi

was special as BAT Zambia had been continues to transform is a reflection of Mange. From the time of inception to 31 nancial ranked institutio­n amongst the to Top announce 10 employers in our commitment to our people and culture

B Ms October Mange said 2020 costly when the Covid-19 that it was extending a comprehen

RITISH American Tobacco (BAT) Africa during what could be considered agenda. commercial payment Zambia disputes relief has been should package recognised be was closed sive one three of the months most trying Retail, economic Business and “Today more than ever, accelerati­ng a last off, resort as Absa the given Bank 2021 the Zambia top prevailing employer PLC was in able Banking social periods and Corporate in recent relief history. packan agile organisati­on and mindset shift economic Africa to extend despite conditions about the exacerbate­d current K630 business million to age to “This customers certificat­ion who demonstrat­e were impactthat BAT (people, processes, platforms) is crucial to by environmen­t the Covid-19 pandemic. ed Zambia by the Covid-19 continues pandemic. to deliver workplace

over 370 customers. which has been impacted remain relevant and fit for future.”

She said disputes such as the Mr Shimabale of the said highest eligible standard. cusWe Top Employers Institute Chief Executive negatively This is according by the Covid-19 to Absa pandemic. Bank conditions continued missing of coupon

Its Zambia parent Head company, Marketing BAT has and also Corbeen tomers continue in need to provide of short-term our diverse liquidwork­force Officer, David Plink, said BAT South payments on the Eurobonds raised recognised porate Relations, as a top employer Mato Shimabale. globally, to meet its ity obligation­s with were an given inclusive is a breach a three-month environmen­t Ms Mange paywhere a second they possible Africa and Southern a financial African market embargo, Markets had

Head of Marketing and Corporate

concerns as to the potential legal top Mr Employer Shimabale in explained Africa by theTop in of a the recontract ment can which relief, thrive allows with and the be possible the best trigger extension version of the of default was a continued call on to caused demonstrat­e in part by the a drop power in credit of

Relations, Mato Shimabale.

and economic consequenc­es of

Employers sponse Institute. to a press query that aggrieved the upon party themselves. to further enforce review, its legal for the a package entire amount due. putting their people first in the workplace. the breach. Recently, the Ministry ratings, resulting in Zambia being BAT customers operates included in seven markets Personal rights which and under allowing the “Our contract. recently released In Ethos other i.e.: words, being she said, Mr Plink said precluded this was from despite accessing the the

customers to reduce or de

of Finance confirmed that Zambia were Business assessed customers and certified in sectors in 2021. cov“It should fer be Bold, stated Fast, that Empowered, CTPD instead Diverse of the and bullet coupon challengin­g capital year experience­d markets and other (which potential has had failed to honour a US$56.1 their monthly instalment­s.

Other markets include; South Africa, is not privy to Responsibl­e the actual financing are behaviours payments that which make allowed our “In this a certainly gradual regard, made the financiers. Bank an impact will conon organisati­ons million ering coupon Aviation, payment Transport, due on Manufac“Absa Bank Zambia PLC prides

Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, agreements Kenya governing organisati­on the a great place repayment to work,” until he the date of around the globe). “Essentiall­y private lenders will

tinue to assess customer needs and January turing, 30 on Tourism one of Eurobonds and Agricultur­e. itself being a forward-thinking

and Uganda. said in a statement. “We are proud to share this year’s which “Absa matures Bank in 2027. Zambia PLC also Eurobond apissuance­s. organisati­on General We Manager can for Southern maturity, the African entire amount announceme­nt under a not be and willing congratula­te to lend Zambia the

that provides relevant respond accordingl­y while invest

BAT Zambia General Manager, Kimesh only deduce the Commenting plied and on received this, Ms Mange approval to exand innovative consequenc­es banking bond solutions issue could ing become in future-proof due. money banking thereby prodlimiti­ng Zambia’s Naidoo, said it was a proud moment based to on internatio­nal Markets, commercial Christelle Supparayen-Romeo, “Another implicatio­n of the organisati­ons options who for have a debt been restructur­ing,” certified in in be a tend recognised statement targeted said: as “in loans a top simplest employer to eligible in custo said: cater “We for are its proud diverse to customers’ continue being ucts Top and their services respective as part countries of its digthrough the Top

practices.” the terms tomers failure of using the Government the Bank of Zambia needs. Employer in our markets. sovereign bond defaults itally-led is Employers strategy,” Institute Ms he Mange said. programme,” said. he said. country once again. Our sustained

 ??  ?? FILE PHOTO : Costly commercial disputes should be a last resort given the prevailing economic conditions exacerbate­d by the Covid-19 pandemic.
FILE PHOTO : Costly commercial disputes should be a last resort given the prevailing economic conditions exacerbate­d by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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