. Nawakwi
By JAMES KUNDA –
FORUM for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi says her party will implement policies aimed at favouring investors in the mining industry when elected into Government in the January 20, 2015 polls.
Ms Nawakwi said in a statement yesterday that the FDD would enhance dialogue with investors in the mining industry so that the sector remains viable.
She was reacting to recent reports that Barrick Gold intended to suspend operations at Lumwana Mine in Solwezi due to changes in the mining tax regime effective January 1, 2015.
“We as FDD will open dialogue with the business community once we form government because we want to forge a partnership of trust and mutual respect between government and investors, not only those in the mining sector but the entire business community,” Ms Nawakwi said.
She said it was regrettable that Barrick wanted to suspend its Zambian operations at a time when the country was making positive gains by attracting investment from renowned global mining firms.
“As FDD, we further urge Barrick Gold not to shut down the mine but wait until the outcome of the elections. We also want to assure them that when we form government next January, ours will be a government with an open-door policy to the business community and other stakeholders in the running of the country’s affairs,” she said.
