The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has commended Zambia for her political stability in the Southern African region which she said is an asset in development and achieving peace.
Newly appointed United Nations Development Programme Director for Regional Bureau of Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa further acknowledged Zambia as one of the first few countries to promote local content strategies for private sector development which is in line with the theme of the 2019 International Conference on Emergence of Africa.
Speaking when Minister of Planning and National Development, Alexander Chiteme paid a courtesy call on the Regional Bureau Africa Director, Ms. Eziakonwa assured the Minister of UNDP’s continued support towards Zambia’s development agenda.
Ms Eziakonwa emphasized the need to grow local entrepreneurs into national champions by creating an enabling environment for youth participation in private sector development.
The visit is on the sidelines of the Third International Conference on the Emergence of Africa (ICEA) in Dakar, Senegal slated for this year.
In response, Minister of Planning and National Development, Alexander Chiteme congratulated Ms. Eziakonwa on her appointment.
Mr Chiteme called for continued collaboration between Zambia and UNDP.
He informed Ms. Eziakonwa that as a lower income country, Zambia’s microeconomic situation is now improving posting economic growth estimated at four percent in 2018 from 2.9 percent in 2015.
The Minister further said Zambia contained inflation to a single digit of nine percent in closing the year, 2018.
Mr. Chiteme called on the UNDP for continued support and collaboration in the implementation of the 7th National Development Plan Goal and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by strengthening national capacities in monitoring and reporting systems.
Meanwhile, the UNDP has selected Zambia as one of the 60 pilot countries for SDGs labs. The labs are an ambitious initiative expected to contribute towards achieving the SDGs.
This is according to a statement availed to media by Ministry of National Development Planning Spokesperson, Chibaula Silwamba.
Where is that PF cadre, Janet Rogan?
And yet the guy whose signature parfum is Eau de Loser wants to take our country into chaos!