By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –

THE Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has said the winner of the presidential by-election should come up with a stimulus plan that will continue to drive private sector growth.
ZACCI president Geoffrey Sakulanda said the new Republican president should develop a plan that would inject life in the private sector for it to move forward.
Mr Sakulanda said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that government should be open to dialogue and listen to the private sector’s views to enable them come up with inclusive policies.
“The Government should be able to dialogue and listen to the views of the private sector unlike the previous situation where the Government got involved in the running of businesses. We expect the next
president to come up with long term policy measures that support growth of private sector,” Mr Sakulanda.
He said the ZACCI expected pro-business policies that would facilitate private sector investment and job creation.
Mr Sakulanda said the Government should also strive to create an enabling environment for business to flourish.
“There is need for the creation of an enabling environment for private sector participation because over regulation chokes business.
They should work at reducing the corporate tax of 35 per cent on profit because it means the businesses can’t reinvest in their business,” he said.
“We are looking at growth through improved private sector capacity to enable it grow and create more jobs and be able to pay taxes.”