. Chikwanda

By BRIAN HATYOKA in KAZUNGULA –
AFRICAN countries must start trading among themselves instead of always looking for foreign assistance to promote sustained economic development,  Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda has said.
Mr Chikwanda noted that intra trade on the African continent was currently very minimal and hence it was important for countries to start trading with each other.
He said Africa had massive resources and land which could stir economic development and ultimately alleviate poverty.
Mr Chikwanda was speaking in Kazungula District of Southern Province yesterday when he officially launched the newly constructed houses for Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) members of staff.
The 4 x 2 semi-detached houses were constructed by Zamchin Construction Company at a cost of K2, 577, 883.08.
“Let’s do everything possible to depend on our local resources in Africa instead of always depending on foreign aid to develop our economies.
“Although we will still need some foreign influence, we need to reduce dependence on foreign aid to some point and start trading with each other because the continent is vast with vast resources,” he said.
Government attached great importance to accelerated infrastructure development as it was vital to promote trade and regional integration.
“When the Kazungula Bridge is constructed and completed, we will need to upgrade other infrastructure and roads in Kazungula to stir more economic activities,” Mr Chikwanda said.
He said the global community’s development process was subject to ups and downs and hence it was important to develop through local resources.
“Currently, the global economy is not very robust as the World Bank has already revised the global growth from 3.5 per cent to 3 per cent.
“Zambia is part of the global community and these difficulties will find their way into the global economy and our country. Zambia will face external socks but we can insulate ourselves against shocks particularly if we can use our massive resources such as agriculture,” Mr Chikwanda said.
ZRA Commissioner General Berlin Msiska said the housing poject was in line with the Authority’s objective of improving operational efficiency and productivity of the workforce through the provision of accommodation.
Mr Msiska said ZRA had during the fiscal year of 2014 collected a total of K27, 604.2 million against the annual parliamentary target of K26, 675 million, thereby exceeding the target by K929.2 million.
In a vote of thanks, ZRA Kazungula customs officer Lukundo Mugala said the housing project would be beneficial to workers as they were currently staying in Livingstone due to lack of accommodation in Kazungula.