President Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated the government’s structural approach to building a holistic team through the Public-Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) and other vital platforms to support the country’s economic growth agenda.
President Hichilema emphasised the need for positive reforms to be embraced at all levels of business and investment to foster the country’s economic development.
Speaking during the fourth private sector day organised by the government through the PPDF, the President called on the private sector to take the lead through the platform.
Mr Hichilema underscored that Zambia is safe for investments, particularly those that create jobs as well as those that enhance the country’s treasury.
He noted that the mining sector, among other investments, is one link that is actualising the government’s call to initiatives such as free education.
The President also said due to fiscal and other reforms which the government has implemented, the country has managed to restructure its debt upto 94 percent.
Mr Hichilema Zambia has recorded a milestone in its national reserves, which have gone up to US$5.2 billion.
The President has since called for an attitude change towards production instead of only relying on consumption of goods and services.
He noted that Zambia is excellently positioned in the region to advance its development agenda through various sectors.
And International Finance Corporation (IFC) Country Manager, Madalo Minofu, thanked the government for the PPDF, saying it has accelerated reforms in key sectors while fostering trust and shared vision for economic growth.
Ms Minofu has meanwhile called on development partners to work together for every Zambian to prosper.
Earlier, Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, assured the private sector and businesses of an enabling environment for their companies to thrive.
Meanwhile, the newly added Technical Working Groups (TWGs), ranging from gender to media said they will advocate for the development of a strategy which will plan for keeping boys in school to mirror the current project of keeping girls in school.
And the Technical Working Group, represented by the Media Owners Association of Zambia (MOAZ) representative, Costa Mwansa, noted that the media is a major economic driver that is supporting job creation among others.
In a vote of thanks, Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) President, Muhammed Umar, commended the PPDF for creating a platform that has enhanced collaborations and business synergies.
Mr Umar said it is through aligning strategies that Zambia’s economy will grow.
