
ZAMBIA’s international reserves at the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) have increased to US$2.5 billion as at end of June 2011 translating into four months prospective imports.
The major products that were exported during the period include mining, Non traditional exports accounting for US$1.2 billion and remittances in the excess of US$200 million.
BOZ economics director Emmanuel Pamu said with the US$2.5 billion international reserves recorded as at June 2011, the country has exceeded the target of US$2.3 billion set for the year.
Speaking at the BoZ briefing held at the Agricultural and Commercial show in Lusaka, Dr Pamu said projections are that the reserves will continue to grow adding that copper exports and other metals have also risen contributing to the economic growth.
He said the economy has managed to pick up tremendously despite the impact of the 2008 global financial crisis.
He said lending to the private sector and household personal loans have increased considerably.
Commenting on the exchange rate, Dr Pamu said the Kwacha has been stable which is important for a growing economy.
And BOZ deputy governor Austin Mwape has said that the central bank is on course to attain the seven percent target inflation set for this year.
Dr Mwape said Zambia has managed to maintain a single digit inflation rate at nine percent. This enhances the optimism that the targeted inflation rate will be reached.
“The good part of the year has been the stabilisation of the inflation and the exchange rate. We have managed to maintain quite a stable financial system,” Dr Mwape said.
Director of non-banking financial institutions Chisha Mwanakatwe said the central bank was impressed that personal loans have increased over the past four years because of the coming down of interest rates.
Mr Mwanakatwe said new banks in the market have extended a lot of personal loans which has created competition resulting in interest rates declining.
“The banking industry has been adequately capitalised; new entrants in the sector have played a vital role. The coming up of financial systems (commercial and non-banks) aggressively on the market has facilitated services to the people who never had access to borrowing and saving in the past,” he said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]