President Banda Outlines Vision to Build a Better Zambia in Sixth National Development Plan

LUSAKA, Republic of Zambia, February 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today His Excellency Mr Rupiah Banda, President of The Republic of Zambia, launched the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP), outlining the Government's five year commitment to building a better future for all Zambians.

Speaking at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, the President said: "Today marks a time of renewal and recommitment to our national vision of being a middle-income country by 2030. We have created a framework to achieve sustained economic growth and reduce poverty - measures which will help to improve the standard of living for all Zambians."

"We will continue to focus on investing in infrastructure, road, rail and air transportation, education skills, health and water sanitation. The private sector remains crucial to Zambia's development and we will continue our work to provide a climate that encourages investment and partnership."

The World Bank recently named Zambia as a top ten improver for doing business, recognising President Banda's efforts to assist people in starting up businesses, facilitating cross-border trade and endorsing contracts.

In the National Development Plan, The President went on to outline the following key commitments, which build on the foundations his Government has laid down in recent years:

    
    - The proportion of people living in extreme poverty is
      expected to decline from 37% in 2006 to 29% in 2015
    - Rural poverty is expected to decline from 77% in 2006 to 50% in
      2015
    - The projected funding for the plan is K132 trillion which will be
      met by K103 trillion of domestic resources and K29 trillion from 
      external assistance and prudent borrowing
    - To continue to address the structural bottlenecks in the economy
      in order to accelerate socio-economic transformation which will fuel
      prosperity

The International Monetary Fund predicts that Zambia will be one of the top ten fastest growing economies for the period 2011 to 2015, echoing President Banda's optimism that, by working together, all Zambians can look forward to a future of peace, security and prosperity.