Lungu to launch youth empowerment fund in Kitwe

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu is today expected to launch to launch a multi-million youth empowerment fund in Kitwe, on the Copperbelt, Province. Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development Emmanuel Mulenga announced the development at a media briefing jointly addressed with Chief Government spokesperson Dora Siliya in Lusaka yesterday.. Mr Mulenga said it was President Lungu’s desire to ensure that young people were self-reliant so that they could significantly contribute to the economic development of the country. He said Government would continue to create a conducive environment for young people with business ideas to pursue their dreams.  Mr Mulenga said this was important because most young people with brilliant business ideas are being inhibited by the high cost of financing. He said unlike other empowerment funds which were tied to specific sector, the yet to be launched fund would accommodate proposals from all sectors. The Minister said the ministry would encourage young people to look at goods and services that were in short supply on the market so they could derive maximum profits from their businesses. And Mr Mulenga said the fund would be co-managed by his ministry and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC). Mr Mulenga said it was the desire of Government that the whole process is shortened to a minimum period of three weeks. Meanwhile, Chief Government spokesperson Dora Siliya has appealed to young people across the country to take advantage of the various empowerment initiatives Government has continued to put in place to achieve their business dreams. Ms Siliya said while Government had continued to take positive steps to empower young people, it was important for those with business ideas to rise to the occasion and seize the opportunity and participate in the economic development of the country. She appealed to the youth  to make themselves available by taking a chance at the opportunities the presidential youth empowerment fund will present.