It’s a setback - Rupiah

It’s a setback - Rupiah
By Chibaula Silwamba in Livingstone
Thu 31 Mar. 2011, 04:01 CAT

THE Constitution Bill’s failure to pass in the National Assembly is a setback, says President Rupiah Banda. And President Banda said his government would not condone any resistance to private sector reforms.

Talking to journalists on the sidelines of the Zambia International Business Advisory Council (ZIBAC) meeting at Livingstone’s Zambezi Sun Hotel yesterday, President Banda asked for understanding by the Zambian people.

“Yes, it was a setback but I would like to ask for your understanding. Government will be issuing a statement later today yesterday; the Vice-President is the leader of government business and will be issuing a statement on behalf of the government,” President Banda said. “It is a setback but once again, I don’t think there is any setback that can make us give up hope of furthering the development of the country.”

And addressing ZIBAC delegates earlier, President Banda said government was there to effectively and efficiently facilitate the growth of the private sector.

“I, therefore, want all public officials to regard the private sector as valuable customers and fully support its role in the economy,” President Banda said. “We have the political will and commitment to further the reform process and will continue to do so even in the future.”

Meanwhile, ZIBAC chairperson Lord Simon Cairns said Zambia had great potential and many opportunities that needed to be highlighted.

He said Zambia had implemented many of the recommendations made during the previous ZIBAC meeting two years ago.

Lord Cairns urged Zambia to continue making moves to make the country attractive to investors.