Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Saturday.

-- Zambian Vice President Inonge Wina has commended the French government for its continued commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries as evidenced by frequent high level visits.

The Zambian vice president said when meeting visiting French Minister for Development and Francophonie Jean-Marie Le Guen at her office that the two countries enjoyed fruitful cooperation in the last 12 months reflected by the signing of six memoranda of understanding in power generation, climate change, broadcasting services, trade and investment. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- Zambian President Edgar Lungu has called for the review of a tripartite maize purchase agreement among farmers, grain traders and the government that has not served the intended purpose of reducing mealie meal prices.

Lungu said he was concerned by consumer complaints that the agreement, effected last month is yet to yield any tangible results and warned greedy millers that they will be excluded from participating in government programs. (Times of Zambia

-- The Zambian government has called for intensified efforts to fight climate change in the country.

Minister of Finance Felix Mutati said climate change was one of the most significant challenges to sustainable economic development hence the need for concerted efforts to tackle it. (Daily Nation)

-- Global franchisee Varun Beverages Limited of India has announced that it is increasing its stake in its Zambian subsidiary from 60 to 90 percent.

The firm, the official seller of Pepsi products in Zambia said it has decided to raise its shareholding now in order to have an effective catalyst to drive further business growth in a fast-emerging growing market. (The Mast). Endit