The high policy dialogue between government and Cooperating Partners (CPs) has come to an end in Lusaka with donor community reaffirming commitment to work closely with the Zambian government in implementing developmental projects in the country.
The meeting, which was chaired by Finance and National Panning Minster, Situmbeko Musokotwane, was attended by the Ministers of Agriculture, Energy and Water Development, Justice and Local Government and Housing.
The topics discussed during the meeting were on decentralization, microeconomics, governance, and developmental sectors such as agriculture and energy among others.
Speaking at the close of the meeting, Cooperating Partners Chairperson, Kapil Kapoor, said the donor community stands ready to assist government in all sectors of national development.
Dr Kapoor said the CPs are encouraged with the strides that the government has made towards diversifying the economy through introducing the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) and also having a fiscal decentralization strategy in place by the end of 2009.
He said that on micro economic issues, the dialogue has noted the impact of the global economic crisis on Zambia through the collapse of demand for copper, adding that there is need for having a rapid economic diversification.
He further noted that Cooperating Partners recognize the role that good governance issues, such as the fight against corruption, adequate funding to the office of the Auditor General and continued voter registration play in the developmental process.
And Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, thanked the continued support in implementing developmental projects in the country.
Dr Musokotwane said today’s dialogue with the donor community will go a long way in creating donor and public confidence in the manner Zambia utilizes the funds.
On the decentralization policy he disclosed that government will implement the fiscal decentralization policy directly from the Ministry of Finance to councils under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
He also clarified that government had no intentions to take over the management and running of the mines that are under care and maintenance.
Dr Musokotwane further briefed the CPs on the status of the power rehabilitation project and government’s commitment to increase rural access to electricity.
He further assured the partners that government will ensure that all the suggestions made by at the dialogue will be put in consideration for effective implementation of donor funded projects.
ZANIS/ENDS/MM/EB
Good to hear that decentralisation was top on the agenda.developmental programs in Zed are too centralised.Everything,its lusaka.
On “He said that on micro economic issues, the dialogue has noted the impact of the global economic crisis on Zambia through the collapse of demand for copper, adding that there is need for having a rapid economic diversification. He further noted that Cooperating Partners recognize the role that good governance issues, such as the fight against corruption, adequate funding to the office of the Auditor General and continued voter registration play in the developmental process.”
Yes rapid economic diversification is the solution and not what the Deputy Minister Kapwepwe is suggesting in Swaziland about increasing copper prices again. Also, the quoted issues are a concern for +ve…
+ve development to take place. Nevertheless, the fight against corruption must not be a fight against political competitors (enermies) or meant to deceive the general Zambian public.
Let transparency and honesty take the lead in the way we as Zambians do our politics.
Also, dependence on CPs must begin to reduce as we take charge of the running of our affairs effectively as we are not babies but serious grown ups, e.g., President RB Banda at 72 or 73 years old.
Very important topics for discussion there. Let’s hope it will not just end up as a dialogue.
What we need in Zed is accountability, most companies go down because pipo are not made accountable for their actions. This coulds help save a lot of companies and jobs.
Difficult to make a comment. After mwalya ama lunch, abanenu are hungry then you start issuing communiques! Just get the job done iwe!
Interesting to read
“He also clarified that government had no intentions to take over the management and running of the mines that are under care and maintenance”.
This shows that when Govt is talking to people who are serious and objective, they also get serious. No politicking. So why were Govt ministers announcing that Govt will takeover some of the mines. Politics is a dirty game indeed.
Like many such discussions held before,this could just be waste of time and resourses.I would like to see the resolutions and action plans.If there is nothing like that,then thanks once again for wasting tax payers money!
VeePee wants stimulus package from the west! what rubbish!you have failed to stimulate the country’s econmy only your pockets! for your information sir,we don’t stand a chance in hell,right now they(west)are fixing their economies..Africa we need leadership now to see the future..