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Government urged to remove taxes on solar batteries

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AS Finance Minister, Situmbeko  Musokotwane presents the 2023 national budget this Friday,  the Solar Industry Association is calling on the New Dawn administration to remove taxes on solar batteries.

In a statement, Solar Industry Association of Zambia president Matanda Mwewa said despite government having removed duties on lithium batteries, 16 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) is still expensive.

“Leadacid, a common and old technology, is exempted from VAT and duty. While we recognise that lead acid batteries still have a position in the market, we cannot ignore the fact that lead acid is an outdated technology.

Lithium Iron phosphate, (LiFePO4 or LFP) batteries, may be the ideal battery chemistry for solar applications,” Mr Mwewa said.

He said the new technology is more durable, can withstand deeper cycles, has a larger energy density, and is very efficient.

“In addition, they require neither maintenance nor ventilation, unlike lead-acid batteries. Yes, Lithium batteries are initially more expensive, but due to their increased efficiency, you may spend less per kilowatt-hour of capacity over the battery’s lifetime. For instance in the life of equivalent lithium batteries capacity which is 10 years one with lead-acid batteries will change them atleast three times.

He said lithium batteries are also smart batteries as they have internal battery management systems which manage the battery cells and can digitally control inverter charging or discharge parameters ensuring that the battery operates according to manufacturer specifications.

He said Zambia through the implementation of earlier national development plans, which included the introduction of incentives for solar equipment, progress has been achieved towards achieving the socio-economic development objectives of vision 2030 in the energy sector.

Mr Mwewa however said not enough progress has been made for the nation to realise the vision.

“Zambia aligned its vision with SDG7 in order to guarantee universal access to affordable, dependable, and advanced energy services. This objective seeks to provide everyone with inexpensive, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy. Energy is a crucial accelerator for economic progress and affects all economic sectors. But with the existing duty fees placed on lithiums, it is evident that this is a barrier to achieving the electrification rate of 51 percent in rural areas and 90 percent in peri-urban and urban areas,” he said.

Mr Mwewa urged government to consider making lithium ion batteries not only VAT-free, but also duty-free for residential and commercial solar systems.

Dr Musokotwani is scheduled to present the 2023 National Budget on Friday, 30th September, 2022.

(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 28th September, 2022)

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🌍✨🇿🇲 Live Streaming Now: Summit for Democracy in Zambia 2023 🇿🇲✨🌍

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Join us NOW as we bring you an exclusive live-stream of the 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 in the Republic of Zambia.🇿🇲

Be a part of this momentous event as global leaders, activists, and academics come together to discuss pressing issues, share innovative ideas, and build a stronger democratic future for all. 🌐🤝

🔴 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

🌟 Opening Ceremony & Keynote Speakers
🌟 Panel Discussions on Democracy, Human Rights, & Rule of Law
🌟 Youth Engagement & Women’s Empowerment
🌟 Strategies for Combating Disinformation & Safeguarding Elections

💬 Engage with us by using the hashtag #SummitForDemocracy2023 and share your thoughts, questions, and ideas as we strive to promote democratic values worldwide. 📣

Tune in now and let us know where you are watching us from? 🎥🌍🇿🇲#SD42 #Zambia

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Copperbelt Gears Up for Its Inaugural Motor Show: A Vision of Innovation and Opportunity

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Copperbelt Province is set to host its first-ever Copperbelt Motor Show, following the success of the Lusaka Motor Show, an event that has been running for the past 11 years. The most recent Lusaka Motor Show took place at East Park Mall Piazza in November 2022, attracting over 60 brands. Beginning this year, the organizers will be expanding their reach by hosting shows in both Copperbelt in May and Lusaka in October.

The Copperbelt Motor Show will be held at the luxurious Garden Court Kitwe Hotel, a property located in the heart of Copperbelt, from May 5th to 7th, 2023. The General Manager of Garden Court Kitwe has expressed excitement about hosting the event, which not only creates a platform for the motor and mining industry but also promotes local tourism. Many exhibitors from Lusaka are expected to attend and participate in the grand event, and the hotel is proud to be a partner in the Copperbelt Motor Show.

As the largest motoring exhibition the Copperbelt has ever seen, the show will feature the latest cars, trucks, buses, bikes, batteries, tyres, lubricants, tracking facilities, spare parts dealers, insurance providers, road safety, mining equipment, and leasing. A section dedicated to classic cars will also be available, catering to automotive enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The show aims to attract a broad audience from across the Copperbelt Province, providing a platform for buyers and sellers to connect directly. Dealers can address their clients’ concerns firsthand and offer tailored solutions. The event also presents an excellent opportunity for procurement heads and directors to compare prices, quality, durability, and other factors of various products, as many brands will be offering exclusive deals and offers.

Director Mr. Bobby Singh has acknowledged the overwhelming response from their followers, with comments describing the event as “history in the making.” This feedback has motivated Singh and his team to create a platform that benefits everyone involved.

The Copperbelt Motor Show is poised to positively impact economic growth by creating jobs, increasing demand, and fostering networking opportunities that can transform into business ventures. As the region prepares for this groundbreaking event, the Copperbelt Motor Show is set to become a staple in the Zambian automotive and mining industries, driving innovation, collaboration, and growth for years to come.

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FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tours Zambia. As MultiChoice hosts the prized trophy

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THE FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy has touched down in Zambia as part of the global tour by FIFA as a build-up to the Women’s World Cup games.

The spellbinding journey – which, for the first time, is offering all 32 qualified nations the chance to see Women’s football’s biggest prize up close before the football show kicks off in Australia and New Zealand from 20th July 2023 to 20th August 2023. Zambia is one of the 32 nations that have qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The event to welcome the celebrated trophy was held at MultiChoice Zambia and speaking at the occasion Leah Kooma, Managing Director at MultiChoice Zambia said, “The FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy tour is in many ways a great initiative for everyone who loves football. It has provided a great chance for football fans, particularly in Zambia, to be close to one of the most iconic symbols in Women’s football”.

She added, “We have the world cup right here, the girls have qualified and just this means the girls stand a chance to bring the cup back to Zambia.”

MultiChoice will carry live all the games of the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament on your World of Champions, SuperSport both on DStv and GOtv platforms. The live broadcast of the World Cup games will avail many Zambian fans and the rest of the continent an opportunity to watch and follow their favorite game in the comfort of their space.

The trophy tour gives football fans around the participating countries the opportunity to get ready to taste the feeling of the most anticipated sporting event – the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The first leg of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour kicked off in Morocco before heading to South Africa and then Zambia. The trophy will conclude its African tour on 26th March in Nigeria before heading to South America.

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