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Zambia needs enhanced productivity - Shakafuswa

Zambia needs enhanced productivity - Shakafuswa
By Joan Chirwa
Monday August 20, 2007 [04:00]

FINANCE deputy minister Jonas Shakafuswa has said Zambia needs to grow its economy through the enhancement of productivity to realise the benefits of its SADC membership.

Speaking to journalists in Lusaka on Saturday after the induction ceremony of the rotary of Kusinta president Henry Lyatumba, Shakafuswa said much as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries have agreed on integration and the formation of the Free Trade Area next year as well as the Customs Union in 2010, Zambia needs to work on productivity for it to compete effectively.

"As we go towards having the common projects that will be under SADC, it is important for us as Zambia to grow our economy, and utilise our resources as well as enhance productivity," Shakafuswa said. "If we rely on revenue collection from the borders, this will have adverse effects on our economy. The most important thing to do now is to increase production at local level."

Shakafuswa said the current economic projects being undertaken should be done cautiously to ensure that the outcome is felt among the citizens.

"Whatever we are doing, we should do it in a big way in order to increase productivity," Shakafuswa said. "The other issue that we have to look at is the energy sector. There are regional projects going on in the energy sector. We hope all these projects will balance up the energy sector in view of the looming power deficit in the region."

Shakafuswa further said Zambians should look to other sources of energy in order to mitigate the impact of low generation capacity of hydro electricity in the country.
"There are other sources of energy which are sufficient. Some places can be put on solar grid. This is one way that can help us in effectively distributing energy to the consumers," Shakafuswa said. "This looming energy deficit in the southern African region will hit us badly if we do not find workable measures to mitigate it immediately. We have to look at alternatives."

And during the induction ceremony, Shakafuswa hoped the rotarians in the country would continue supplementing government efforts in social and economic development.

"I urge you to continue with the spirit of togetherness," said Shakafuswa.

Earlier, Lyatumba said the rotary club would soon engage in advertisement of its activities for people to understand its operations.

"During my term in office, I also hope to revive the rotary club of UTH. I believe doctors and nurses can help us achieve what we want," said Lyatumba. The rotary club also announced that it had invested well over US$100,000 in community projects over the last one year.

Labels: FREE TRADE AREA, JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, SADC

posted by MrK @ 3:39 AM