Domestic
President Edgar Lungu has encouraged Zambian businessmen and women to link up with their Indian contemporaries to enhance private sector participation. Read more: Zambia Daily Mail
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has urged companies within the Group to emulate Zamtel and embrace innovation to support growth and profitability of their respective businesses. Read more: Lusaka Times
Energy Minister Matthew Nkhuwa has directed the Energy Regulation Board -ERB- to expedite the issuance of licensing for off grid projects to the private sector. Read more: ZNBC
There is a growing need to improve market access for African goods and increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on the continent, says Minister of Finance Dr Bwalya Ng’andu. Read more: Diggers
International
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that U.S. and Chinese negotiators were holding “productive” trade talks and expected them to meet in September despite U.S. tariffs on over $125 billion worth of Chinese imports taking effect September 1st. Read more: Reuters
South Africa’s public debt, which is approaching rating agencies’ red line of 60% of economic output, is reaching uncomfortable levels, an IMF official said on Thursday. Read more: Africa News
Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso promised Wednesday to exploit the discovered hydrocarbon field in the Cuvette region (north) in an environmentally friendly way, in a message on public television. Read more: Africa News
Hong Kong is pumping billions of dollars into its economy in a bid to avert a recession as the city’s political crisis disrupts business and slams financial markets. The government announced a stimulus package worth about $2.4 billion Thursday to help safeguard jobs and provide relief to “people’s financial burden. Read more: CNN
German lenders are in a uniquely dangerous position compared to their European counterparts, according to Ronit Ghose, global head of banks research at Citi. Read more: CNBC