Government, private sector partners - Musokotwane
GOVERNMENT should change its attitude towards the private sector if it has to address the challenges of unemployment and meet the expectations of its citizens, Finance a dn National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has said.
Speaking at the Price Waterhouse Coopers limited (PWC) review of Zambia’s mining sector, Dr Musokotwane said the private businesses should be made more attractive so that it could expand its investment in the country’s economy.
He said it was Government’s responsibility to create an environment that would induce more investment in the private sector which would in turn address the challenges of unemployment in the country.
Dr Musokotwane stated that the private sector was a partner in national development and that government should able to support private investment to grow the economy and create jobs.
“We should as government change our attitude towards the private sector and consider the sector as the partner to our goal of economic development.
Government is ready and willing to partner with the private sector in addressing the unemployment challenges.
But we have a duty to create an environment that would attract more invest in the private sector so that they can help in improving our economy, Dr Musokotwane said.
Speaking at the same event, Zanaco chief risk officer Mutisunge Zulu said there was need to add value to copper in order for the country to create employment.
Mr Zulu urged government to expedite the process of resolving challenges at KCM and Mopani and allow the mining giants to pump more money into the economy.
Mr Zulu said because of the risks of the global food crisis, there was need for more agriculture interventions in responding to global economic problems.
Mr Zulu disclosed that there was currently a global grain crisis and urged government to take advantage of the opportunities that had been created by the global grain shortage.
Meanwhile, PWC tax leader George Chitwa said incentives that ZRA had put in place were time bound and that investors were being encouraged.