Maravi

It's time to focus on economic independence - Mwanawasa

It's time to focus on economic independence - Mwanawasa
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Wednesday October 24, 2007 [04:01]

PRESIDENT Levy Mwanawasa has said it is now time to focus on a level of economic independence that will benefit all the citizens for the betterment of their lives. In his address to the nation to mark Zambia's 43 years independence anniversary which falls today under the theme "Forging a common future anchored on national pride and sustainable development through citizen's participation", President Mwanawasa said Zambia continued to face many challenges in its 43rd year of independence.

He said as a nation, these challenges could be effectively tackled if peace and unity continue to prevail.

President Mwanawasa said in an effort to empower the people to effectively and fully participate in economic activities, the government had enacted the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act of 2006.
He said since independence Zambia had continued to be an oasis of peace.

President Mwanawasa said in the last 43 years, Zambia had made significant strides in many areas of development

He said on the economic front, government had posted remarkable achievements such as the improvement in the gross domestic product (GDP), which stood at 5.8 per cent last year.
President Mwanawasa said the government anticipated this upward trend to continue.

He said there had been a significant increase in investment inflows in the first six months of this year, totaling US$693 million.
President Mwanawasa said government had continued to put in place policy measures intended to boost growth in the economy to even higher levels.

"This will contribute to poverty reduction and overall national development. I am proud to see that there is a lot of economic activity going on throughout the country. The mining sector continues to be the mainstay of our economy but other sectors are making a major contribution to the country's economic growth," he said.

President Mwanawasa said the exploration and discovery of a variety of minerals in various parts of the country was another positive development that should result in more investments in mining and job creation.

"As you may be aware, investors have committed to spend US$900 million in the multi-facility economic zone in Chambishi. About 6,000 jobs will be created for our people as well as trigger additional benefits through related economic activities. Additionally, when the Lusaka East multi-facility economic zone is established, it will create even more jobs for our citizens," he said.

He said the government made the agriculture sector a priority when they took office.

However, President Mwanawasa said the government was aware of some of the challenges that have affected this sector particularly the outbreak of animal diseases and the government was doing something to contain them.

He said tourism was another sector that has potential for growth.
He said in the social sector, there were successes, which had impacted positively on the people.

President Mwanawasa said the biggest challenge was HIV and AIDS.
He said the government recognised the challenges, but was encouraged to note that the number of people accessing antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs continued to rise.

However, President Mwanawasa said a matter of concern was that mother-to-child transmission stood between 30 and 40 percent.
He said this posed a serious challenge to the health sector.

In the education sector, President Mwanawasa said the government had continued to provide free primary education to ensure that enrolment levels, especially in rural areas are increased.

He said government continued to examine the possibility of expanding the free education at secondary school level and government had continued to expand and refurbish basic schools to accommodate more pupils.

President Mwanawasa said the government had stepped up the provision of teaching and learning materials in schools to enable the education sector to provide high quality education standards.

He said Zambian men and women had continued to achieve success in various sports disciplines on the world stage.
President Mwanawasa said the government, with the support of cooperating partners, had embarked on a comprehensive programme to provide sports infrastructure in various parts of the country in order to further develop sport.

He said apart from being a unifying factor, sport could at the same time be a lucrative business that empowers citizens economically.
President Mwanawasa also said his administration attached great importance to the issues of gender and would continue to enhance participation of both men and women in decision-making.

He said in the field of communications and information, and in accordance with the current democratic dispensation, it was important to acknowledge the vital role of the media in the governance system.

"The print and electronic media has a role to play in all spheres of our social, political and economic well being. The Zambian media as the fourth estate has continued to perform a watchdog role. It also serves as a platform for checks and balances not only with regard to government, but all other sectors of the Zambian nation. This contributes to good governance, economic development and peace," he said.

He said his administration would continue to pursue negotiations on fair trade with European Union under the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAS).

"As we enter our 44th year of independence, Zambia must renew its determination to continue to be an effective member of the globalised world. We continue to contribute to peace, stability and economic development in the region and the continent. Zambia's achievements in the areas of democracy, good governance, the rule of law and human rights and good economic policies have earned her admiration and support from the international community," he said.

President Mwanawasa pointed out some of the challenges that the nation should strive to overcome including job and wealth creation through increased investment in various priority sectors.
He said the SADC region was facing a looming energy shortage, which would require concerted efforts to mitigate at country and regional level.

President Mwanawasa said these efforts would include the harnessing of substantial private sector investor inflows in order to strengthen the capacity to produce more energy to meet the needs of the region.

And Human rights Commission director Enock Mulembe appealed to the leaders in the country to seek a human rights approach to development.

"As we seek investment and economic development, we should also ensure to protect and promote the rights of vulnerable people. Investment must be directed to improve people's welfare other than people suffering in the name of investment," he said.

Mulembe said the right to live a dignified life could never be attained unless all basic necessities of life such as food, decent housing, health care and education were adequately available to everyone.

Labels: ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, INDEPENDENCE, MWANAWASA

posted by MrK @ 3:54 AM