The Swedish Government has advised Zambia to come up with clear policies aimed at facilitating improved trade in the country.
Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, Maria Anderson de Frutos, says there is need for the Zambian government to put in place effective trade measures that would bring more investment to the sector.
Ms Anderson told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that Zambia has a lot of business opportunities that can also contribute towards enhancing national development.
She, however, stressed that the current business environment has a lot of challenges that have affected private sector growth.
The Ambassador pointed out that long process and corruption experienced when acquiring business licenses have a negative effect on the country’s business environment.
She said this is why government should quickly put in place stringent measures that will ensure that trade facilitation processes are improved to attract more foreign direct investment.[quote]
Ms Anderson further pledged her country’s commitment to invest in all the country’s developmental sectors.
She disclosed that many Swedish companies are interested to invest in Zambia’s energy and agricultural sector as a way of assisting the country to diversify its economy from being dependent on copper to other sectors.
Meanwhile Ambassador Anderson as expressed happiness with the way the Zambian government has responded to investigate the embezzlement of donor funds at the Ministry of Health.
Ms Anderson said the recent investigations have proved that the Zambian government is interested in working out effective ways of dealing with corruption involving public funds.
She further stated that there is need for Zambians to be sensitized and understand that donor funds should be utilized in the right way that will benefit the end users.
Recently the Swedish government withdrew its support to the Ministry of Health following revelations of misuse of the funds by some officials and over ten officers have since been arrested in connection with some embezzlement.
ZANIS
Why wait for other countries to tell us what we already know? We need to clean sweep all the policy makers who lack foresight. Zambia needs incentives to bring or lure the educated think tanks back . Zambia has economists who are able to draft policies that will benefit the economy. Can each party member please read a copy of Dambisa’s book? This is a sad story but it is not too late to turn the corner!
There is no leadership at the moment. We are a laughing stock to other countries.
Spot on Pravda, it’s really embarrassing for outsiders to tell us how to run our home affairs. Without a doubt, Zambia has enough skilled work force and manpower so the problem lies elsewhere. The Ambassador has already identified it – corruption is the main obstacle that keeps most ambitious Zambians and the nation as a whole from striving.
Dependency on donor aid and advice has become cancerous. We need leaders with vision and foresight. Where do the current leaders see Zambia in 5 years? I bet they have no idea, and live day by day.
We still got a long way to go. We cant be receiving instructions from donors on straight forward issues. This country will never develop on handouts.
People who wish to invest always look at big time frames. Therefore it unsettles them when processes are not clear and the rules of the game are changing all the time. If we can come up with processes that are clear and transparent we can open a lot of opportunities. Also many politicians want to be bribed along the way. This culture is bad for the country and people will not take us seriously. Please streamline the relevant processes and business will grow in Zambia.
“She further stated that there is need for Zambians to be sensitized and understand that donor funds should be utilized in the right way that will benefit the end users.”
Why beat about the bush. It’s not Zambians but their leaders.
The govt should be ashamed of themselves for not providing leadership. When other countries tell you in public how to run your house, then you really are a scatter brain. It shows that Zambian leaders do not think. RB et all should be ashamed of this. Our leaders are busy glob trotting, attending traditional ceremonies, seeing off RB at aiports, seeing him in, politicking, etc etc. You wonder when they work for the country.
too late, ba tenga kudala advice ku Lesotho…heh heh heh