By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
THE National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has continued to record steady growth in its investment portfolio  standing at K18.5 billion in the first half of this year.
Of  the K18.5 billion, government bonds accounted for 29 per cent,  with treasury  bills  accounting for  21 per cent.
Others were term deposits accounting for 22 per cent, real estate 19 per cent, equities eight per cent and corporate bonds accounting for one per cent.
Head treasury Brian Musonda said the authority projected to grow the investment portfolio to K20 billion by the close of this year.
Mr Musonda who was speaking at the on going Agriculture and Commercial Show (ACS)  being held under the theme: “Promoting a Green Economy”, attributed the growth to good returns and fresh contributions.
“Our portfolio is extremely diversified going by our Zambian standards. You will agree with me that we have shortage of alternative investment opportunities, but we have tried to ensure that we get available instruments.
“Currently, we are in government bonds representing 29 per cent , 21 per cent in treasury bills , eight per cent was invested in equities, 19 per cent real estate, fixed term deposits 22 per cent with others representing one per cent,” Mr Musonda said.
Mr Musonda said NAPSA had consistently continued to record steady growth  from 2010  with the average growth last year standing at 17 per cent.
He said this showed that the authority performed extremely well because the inflation closed with a single digit.
Mr Musonda explained that the stock mark last year collapsed due to high interest rates, saying there were less activities on the stock market.