Maravi

(DAILY MAIL) State targets to create 100,000 jobs

State targets to create 100,000 jobs
By NKOLE CHITALA

GOVERNMENT is targeting to create 100,000 jobs this year with a major focus on promoting small and medium enterprises (SME’s). Government has also said it will invest K2 trillion in the development of infrastructure this year. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Felix Mutati, said the investment in infrastructure development would encourage the private sector contribute positively to job creation. Mr Mutati said Government would unlock economic resources as presented in the 2008 national budget and ensure that more people had money in their pockets.

“We are taking a bite by stabilising the economy, invest in infrastructure, build capacity and execute the budget, we need to take development to rural areas, he said.

He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday at a dialogue between Government and the private sector on transformation for jobs in Zambia.

Mr Mutati said while the country’s economic environment was rising, Government was faced with the challenge to have more people participate in economic growth.

He, however acknowledged that the cost of money, infrastructure and over bureaucracy were the main challenges that faced the private in contributing to national growth.

Mr Mutati was optimistic that with the creation of the Citizen Economic Empowerment commission and Zambia Development Agency, Government would strengthen the private sector to create more jobs.

Speaking earlier, Lloyds and Financial Services Managing Director, Lloyd Chin’gambo urged Government to facilitate growth in traditional employment sectors if it had to transform the country into job creation.

Professor Ching'ambo cited education, professional training, specialisation, sector characteristic, level of development and investment in employment facilities programme as some of the factors affecting creation of employment in the country.

Labels: INFRASTRUCTURE, JOBS, SMEs

posted by MrK @ 1:14 AM