ZAMBIA TO HOST AFRICA FISCAL FORUM
By BUUMBA CHIMBULU ZAMBIA is this week hosting an Africa Fiscal Forum following its successful implementation of reforms in boosting domestic revenue collection and enhancing fiscal consolidation.
Zambia will hold this forum in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Commission, on tomorrow and Friday.
Ministry of Finance head of public relations and media, Chileshe Kandeta, said the forum which would be held under the theme “Fiscal Policy in An Evolving World” was an international event that brought together fiscal authorities from Ministries of Finance and customs organisations in Africa.
Mr. Kandeta said the Forum would offer an opportunity to Zambian fiscal authorities to embrace best practices from other fiscal jurisdictions to refine fiscal and tax policy formulation, implementation, and administration in Zambia.
“The Ministry of Finance takes this opportunity to welcome the international delegates in advance and wish them a memorable stay in Lusaka.
“We also request citizens and residents who may be involved in the coordination and servicing of the event to render the visiting delegates a warm reception and ensure that their stay is safe, memorable, and promotes the good image of the country and the people of Zambia,” he said.
He said topics to be discussed included dealing with challenges from the international tax system, digital revolution and fiscal policy and innovation in public spending and management;
Mr. Kandeta said other topics would include Innovation in tax policy and administration, Inequality and fiscal policy; and Medium term revenue strategies.
Mr. Kandeta said a delegation from the IMF led by Roger Nord, IMF-African Department, would arrive in the country for the Forum, on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
He said others in the IMF team include Bernadine Akitoby, Tobias Rasmussen and Alfredo Baldini.
Mr. Kandeta said the European Commission would be represented by Alessandro Mariani, Ambassador of the European Union to Zambia and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and Ms. Erica Gerretsen.