ZAMBIA NEEDS MARSHAL RECOVERY PLAN - EAZ
ZAMBIA now needs multi-sector planning and stakeholder engagement as COVID-19 has created a huge dent in both the global and national economic development agenda, the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) has said.
EAZ president, Lubinda Haabazoka, yesterday said for this reason, all planned summits such as the Diaspora Wakanda1 Homecoming Summit and the National Economic Summit for the year 2020 will still be held despite being postponed to later dates.
Dr Haabazoka said the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI) had embarked on diaspora mobilisation for the purchase of masks, gloves, ventilators and other necessities required to fight and prevent the spread of COVID 19 in Africa.
ADDI is under the leadership of Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao.
He said through an ongoing collaboration with the EAZ, Zambia had been chosen as receiving and distribution point for Southern Africa.
Dr Haabazoka said the EAZ would coordinate the effort with the Diaspora through its New York-based Diaspora Chairperson, Savior Mwambwa.
“The Economics Association of Zambia would further like to inform the general public that due to the ongoing developments with regards to the prevailing COVID-19 global pandemic, the planned summits i.e the Diaspora Wakanda1 Homecoming Summit and the National Economic Summit for the year 2020 will still be held albeit at later dates which will be communicated in due course.
“Zambia now, more than ever before, needs multi-sector planning and stakeholder engagement with COVID 19 creating a huge dent in both the global and national economic development agenda. Ours has always been an optimistic approach towards Zambia’s national economic development agenda,” Dr. Haabazoka said.
He commend Government for progress made thus far in the fight against the COVID 19 pandemic and that EAZ hoped Zambia would come out with minimum loss to both human life and businesses.
“The EAZ would also like to commend all its corporate members that have made donations towards the fight against COVID 19 especially ZANACO Bank, NERIA Investments, NAPSA and Delta Energy who were also major donors to the fight against cholera in Lusaka a few years ago.
“Other members both corporate and individual are equally encouraged to contribute directly to government in whatever means or form towards our nation’s fight against COVID-19,” he said.