Major news items in leading Zambian media outlets

The following are news highlights in leading Zambian media outlets on Monday.

-- Zambia's Vice-President Inonge Wina said the government was taking the diversification of the country's economy seriously, with emphasis on promoting agriculture.

She said the governing Patriotic Front (PF) will in the next five years focus on ensuring that the agriculture sector becomes high on the country's economic development if it wins the August 11 polls.

Currently, the Zambian economy is anchored on copper, but declining prices of commodity prices on the international market has forced the government to accelerate the development of other sectors. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- The Zambian government has warned firms against perpetrating child labor and urged businesses to shun firms perpetrating the vice.

Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Services Alfreda Kasembe said local enterprises need to be vigilant and ensure that the supply chains, which they are part of, are free from child labor.

In remarks delivered during the commemorations to mark World Day against Child Labor Sunday, the minister said child labor deprives children the opportunity to attend school and that the government has since engaged other stakeholders to get rid of the scourge. (Times of Zambia)

-- Zambia's consumer watchdog has warned traders against unnecessary hikes in prices of commodities.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it would not relent in monitoring prices until fairness comes into play.

Hanford Chaba, CCPC's public relations officer, said the organization will soon take action against traders exploiting consumers with high pricing. (Daily Nation)

-- The Zambian government has commenced legal proceedings in the English High Court against mining firm, Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM), over 100 million U.S. dollars that is owed arising from an agreement the two entities entered into in 2013.

The Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH), which holds shares in all mining firms, has commenced the legal proceedings on behalf of the Zambian government.

According to a statement, the ZCCM-IH and the mining firm entered into a joint agreement on April 8, 2013 relating to the mining giant's settlement of outstanding payments payable under a Price Participation Agreement.

According to the statement, ZCCM-IH anticipates a judgment from the English High Court either late this year or early 2017. (The Post) Endit