By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
THE Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) has urged Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe to rise to the challenge of facilitating private sector growth as a major tool for economic expansion.
EAZ president Isaac Ngoma said increasing local participation of the private sector in commerce, trade and industry and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) was a matter of priority.
“We think that Mrs Mwanakatwe must focus on facilitating and promoting support mechanism for growth of the sector which will enhance access to finance, business development services and creation of linkages for large corporate,” he said.
Mr Ngoma said Ms Mwanakatwe should also work towards economic diversification and increase exports of various goods and services.
He said Ms Mwanakatwe’s experience in the financial sector should help leverage access to finances for MSMEs.
“We believe Mrs Mwanakatwe is a credible person and she will live up to the challenge,” Mr Ngoma said.