Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba has said government has put in place a number of policies and strategies aimed at addressing challenges of unemployment in Zambia.
Mr Yamba also pledged Government’s commitment to continue focusing on industrialisation, employment and wealthy creation in order to reduce poverty and inequality on a sustainable basis.
This is contained in a statement released to media in Lusaka today by Ministry of Finance Public Relations Officer Chileshe Kandeta.
The Secretary to the Treasury said this will be achieved by investing in sectors that have been identified to best promote employment for the youthful population, significantly increase productivity in the economy by empowering workers with the requisite skills for the 21st century, contribute to higher and inclusive growth, and develop rural areas to narrow the urban rural divide.
He said these sectors include agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and construction sectors.
Mr Yamba also stated that infrastructure development is an indispensable pillar in government t’s efforts to raise business productivity, diversify the economy, promote inclusive growth and create employment and income earning opportunities.
He said in this regard, tangible progress has been made in developing key infrastructure not only in the transport, communications and energy sectors but also in social sectors of health and education.
Mr Yamba disclosed that there were several projects that have been lined up in 2015, adding that for inclusive growth, emphasis will be place on social sectors.
And the Secretary to the Treasury has directed statutory organisations, grant aided institutions, ministries, provinces and other spending agencies to give preference to locally produced goods in line with the industrialisation and job creation strategy with the view to boost actualisation of the anticipated productivity and growth.
He said in order to ensure the measure is effectively implemented, government has with effect from January 1, 2015, removed the voucher system applicable on the affected imports by Statutory Organisations, Grant aided institutions, ministries, provinces and other spending agencies.
Mr Yamba further stated that to safeguard jobs and create employment opportunities, government will continue to strengthen the capacity and productivity of state owned enterprises.
He said government has in the 2015 budget approved by parliament and has therefore put aside resources for recapitalisation, value chain development, and youth development programmes.
He said among the beneficiaries are the K70 million for the Development Bank of Zambia to support the financing needs of small and medium scale enterprises, K35 million for the Lusaka Multi Facility Economic Zone to facilitate infrastructure development and support the growth of the manufacturing sector, K83 million to the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission to support value chain development and K55 million for youth skills training and development programmes.
Others are K30 million for rehabilitation works at the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia, K12.5 million for recapitalisation of public media organisations, K40 million for recapitalisation of airport infrastructure in order to unlock the massive potential for growth and employment in the tourism sector, K15 million for recapitalisation of Government Printers and, K14 million for recapitalisation of Zampost.
The rest areK10 million for the Micro-Bankers Trust, K7.5 million for the Zambia Cooperative federation, K15 million for recapitalisation of ZAFFICO, K60 million for the Public Service Micro Finance for loans to Public Service Workers, and, K60 million for payment of terminal benefits to former ZAMTEL workers.
Mr. Yamba stated that these interventions will invariably contribute to sustaining economic growth as some of these organisations and programmes hold the greatest potential for wealth and employment, and job security.
This is actually where it all goes horribly wrong even with the best of intentions… that money is not trickling down and locals are not empowered in those industries to the point where they can go from small idea to regional or global success stories. Too many fingers in the pie that don’t belong there…
Have they not heard that HH is the incoming president? 22 January, 2015 he will be declared president.
Spare us the details. HH and his team will inform us once they form govt.
Viva #FlightHH2015
Capacity building is a good move, but using money to pay off terminal benefits is a wrong move. Government shall never bail out and fund recurring expenses. If an institution is not generating enough to sustain itself, close it. Private companies can run business better. PF is on its way out and UPND with its experienced private sector driven leaders of the calibre of Dipak Patel, Mutati, Maureen Mwanawasa, Katele Kalumba, GBM and duly headed by a very successful, star performer in the private sector our own HH, savior of the people of Zambia will promote private sector and creation of jobs. HH is the answer to all problems created by KK, Chiluba, Mwanawasa, Rupiah and Sata. Vote for the saviour HH.
@ Pretty, prepare your heart for disappointment and a chitenge to wipe your tears as EL is sworn in on 23rd Jan 2015. This is a settle matter. I can even give you my number you call me on that day if you so wish
PF, the only candidates that can back up what they mean. You can see and hear truth unlike promises based on lies lies from UPND on their fantasy promises.
Social inclusion etc.
Funny how at election time the make things happen that they should be implementing during non election times. This am applying to UPND, MMD, FDD, PF and independent MPs. They have all been in government this whole duration. Wake up people hold all your elected “money plunderers”, I meant MPs to task.
Everything to do with improving national livelihoods goes to sleep after an election and the elected representatives embark on enriching themselves.
K12.5 million for recapitalisation of public media organisations, and you say this will help out Times of Zambia ha ha ha our govt we do not know ……….. this is nothing .
breaking news; today 12 people killed including 2 police officers and 11 others injured in an attack in Paris France today. 3 gunmen carried out the attack the assailants shouted Islamist slogans before fleeing by car. Boka Haram coming to Zambia after 20th January. Intelligent people/politicians stay clear of muslims but ba Edgar lungu ati I need campaign money so Rupiah lets go to Nigeria and get money. ZAMBIANS LOOK AT WATS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE WORLD. Muslims do not mess about, they aim to kill. be ware of congregating over funerals church services na fimo fimo when LUNGU becomes president because those are the places where they like exploding their bombs. vote wisely please
Since Muslims are alleged to be among financiers of Edgar Lungu’s campaigns, there is a possibility of all we have been constructing to be shred to pieces when the financiers try to force citizens to join their religion and introduce Sharia law in Zambia. Wake up Zambians!
Since Muslims are alleged to be among financiers of Edgar Lungu’s campaigns, there is a possibility of all we have been constructing to be shred to pieces when the financiers try to force citizens to join their religion and introduce Sharia law in Zambia. Wake up Zambians!
Jesus also died for Muslims. Jesus loves all.
The Government’s plan regarding such policies and strategies can surely be an effective way to overcome unemployment in the country.The sectors like agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and construction are definitely of keen interest to the youth of Africa.Getting the right talent and flourishing on these sectors would certainlyt help the economy to grow. And for the young aspirants out there who would like to make it big on their own, viz start businesses, we have the TEEP programme initiated by Sir Tony Elemelu. This programme aims to empower the budding entrepreneurs to grow & succeed. Know more about TEEP on ****