Maravi

Harrison urges economic diversification on C/belt

Harrison urges economic diversification on C/belt
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Monday June 02, 2008 [04:01]

THE GOVERNMENT should seriously start economic diversification on the Copperbelt because high mineral prices will not last forever, British High Commissioner to Zambia Alistair Harrison has advised. In an interview at the just-ended 51st Copperbelt Mining, Agriculture and Commercial Show, High Commissioner Harrison said the increase in both local and international exhibitors was a demonstration of vibrancy in the economic growth of the Copperbelt region.

"This is positive because the economy is getting strengthened through various activities taking place in the region especially in the area of mining," said High Commissioner Harrison. "And the boom in mineral prices is likely to continue, but higher commodity prices cannot last forever; hence, government should seriously embark on economic diversification on the Copperbelt to sectors such as agriculture."

And Copperbelt minister Mwansa Mbulakulima said mining operations would continue but the government was considering economic diversification.

"We are on course with diversification and soon this region will be able to balance food production and mining but we cannot just abandon mining," said Mbulakulima.

During the official opening of the show last Friday, President Levy Mwanawasa, who was represented by Vice-President Rupiah Banda, said there was need to minimise exposure to the risk of falling prices of copper through developing other sectors such as agriculture.

"A few years ago when the price of copper was very bad, government stressed that it was necessary to encourage other sectors like agriculture so that livelihoods that had been lost in mining can be replaced by some in agriculture and we should not lose sight of this important goal even when copper prices are high," said President Mwanawasa.

Labels: ALISTAIR HARRISON, ECONOMY, MINING

posted by MrK @ 5:56 PM