We have potential to prosper – Canisius

ZAMBIA is on course to becoming a prosperous nation and its economic path should be defined by citizens themselves and not foreigners, Canisius Banda has said. Dr Banda, a development activist, said in an interview yesterday that the future of the country ought to be fashioned by Zambians themselves with its economy emancipation envisioned by citizens. He said being a land-linked country with eight neighbours, all providing market, Zambians must seize the business opportunity provided by the surrounding countries to actualize the “prosperous nation” status. Dr Banda said the deficits in countries surrounding Zambia must be seen as an opportunity to create businesses for Zambians bearing in mind that the country was endowed with an avalanche of resources. He said the resources at the deposal of citizens should be transformed into goods and services which could be exported for the country to earn the much-needed foreign exchange and broaden its revenue base. “Zambia is on course to becoming a prosperous nation and this prosperity should never be defined by others or foreigners. This means that the future that Zambia must become ought to be fashioned by Zambians themselves with its economic outlook envisioned by Zambians. “Zambia has eight neighbours. It follows then that the economic behaviour of Zambia must therefore necessarily reflect the deficit or demand patterns of these countries. There is no country in the whole world which has this number of markets and therefore, we should take advantage of this business opportunity,” Dr. Banda said. He said prudent management of resources was key to economic development adding that even if the country had so much natural resources, development could not take root if these were not properly utilised. “The natural resources that Zambia has are adequate to meet the needs of all these other countries, and beyond. Nonetheless, the mere presence of natural resources anywhere does not guarantee the prosperity of any nation. Presence has to be coupled with the prudent and judicious use of these natural resources and then economic miracles become manifest.