The Private Sector Development Association says positive action through infrastructure development programmes is necessary to achieve national economic growth.
Association Chairman, Yusuf Dodia, said government and stakeholders should focus at infrastructure development to improve the performance of mining and other key economic sectors in the country.
Mr Dodia was speaking at a consultation on Chinese Aid and Investment in Zambia workshop in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Dodia commended Chinese investment, which he said has significantly contributed to infrastructure development.
He pointed out that Aid has not been the best way of sorting out matters in most African countries because it lives no room for negotiations but rather the recipient country only receives, with no much in-put on the yield regarding who benefits between the two.
Mr. Dodia said it is dangerous to be a recipient without being involved because on the negotiations because when one is a partner they have room to be in control and have chance to ask questions about the deal they are entering into weather they are a government or private individual.
He called for enhanced partnership with Chinese investors and its government in efforts of cushioning the effects of the global economic crisis.
Earlier, Zambia Law Development Commission Senior Research Officer, Sharon Williams, welcomed China’s commitment to help African countries deal with the effects of the current global economic recession.
Ms Williams said China has pledged to sustain its aid and investment in Africa and ensure that its aid is increased by 200 per cent in 2009 compared to 2006.
ZANIS/ENDS/VP/SJK
“The Private Sector Development Association says positive action through infrastructure development programmes is necessary to achieve national economic growth.”
But honestly, why does it take a nation 44 years to realise this? Ver very sad indeed that the country has been sleeping for all these years.
I suppose he had to say some thing sensible , and being a developing country sure we need infrastructure development programmes . At any rate better late than never.