- Govt to do “strange, but legal things” to unlock economic opportunities
CHOMBA MUSIKA
Lusaka
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has set an ambitious target of doubling Zambia’s economy over the next five years, identifying agriculture, energy, mining, tourism and manufacturing as key drivers of economic growth under his administration’s Grow Zambia Agenda.
Addressing Parliament during the opening of the first session of 14th National Assembly, Mr Hichilema said Government would build on the macro-economic stability achieved so far to accelerate economic transformation, create employment and improve living standards.
His administration would adopt new approaches to stimulate growth, including what he described as doing “strange, but legal things” to unlock opportunities across the economy.
“Our focus will be to consolidate and build upon the socio-economic progress achieved so far,” he said, adding that Grow Zambia Agenda was intended to ensure every citizen and community benefitted from national development.
Government has set annual targets of producing 10 million tonnes of maize, generating 10,000 megawatts of electricity, attracting five million international tourists and producing three million tonnes each of copper and soya beans.
Other targets include producing one million tonnes each of wheat and sugar, alongside generating US$1 billion in annual beef exports.
Government has also planned to expand irrigation to 500,000 hectares and increase the national cattle population to 11 million.
Authorities would also establish additional livestock disease-free compartments and strengthen quality assurance and traceability systems to improve production and market access.
The President reaffirmed the target of producing three million tonnes of copper annually, saying increased investment in existing and new projects must translate into jobs and opportunities, particularly for young people.
In 2005, copper output stood at slightly over 880,000 metric tonnes while in the first half of this year it was around 447,000 tonnes.
The President said the national geological mapping programme was nearing completion to support further mineral exploration.
However, he stressed that mining must remain legal, formal, commercially viable and safe, and must not threaten national peace and security. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
