
World Bank Group President Robert Zoellick has described his meeting with President Rupiah Banda as excellent and fruitful for the people of Zambia.
Mr. Zoellick said he had good discussions with the Zambian Head of State on many areas of national development such as infrastructure development, agriculture, irrigation among other key national programs.
He said he discussed with Mr. Banda how the country would find money to invest in the sectors adversely affected by the global economic meltdown.
Mr. Zoellick disclosed that he also discussed with Mr. Banda how Zambia can diversify its economy from dependence on mining as the key economic activity to agriculture.
He told a video press conference today that he was able to discuss with President Banda how the country can find additional funding for clean development projects.
Mr. Zoellick said President Banda was able to tell him about his own farming experience and how some farmers sold the subsidized fertilizer they got from government to other farmers.[quote]
The World Bank Group President said this situation was unfortunate and did not make sense hence the need to reduce subsidies.
And the World Bank chief said Africa’s development lies squarely with Africans themselves.
He said the World Bank was committed to work with Africa to create jobs and reduce the prevailing poverty among the African people.
Meanwhile, Mr. Zoellick has said Chinese investment in Africa was welcome as it had the potential to contribute to Africa’s infrastructure development which could in turn result in job creation for the people.
He, however, said Chinese investors need not to come with their Chinese workers as that did not do Africa any good in terms of development.
ZANIS