Tue, 05 Sep 2017 11:06:50 +0000
By Buumba Chimbulu
GOVERNMENT has set September 29, 2017 for the presentation of the 2018 National Budget to Parliament, Minister of Finance, Felix Mutati, has announced.
And Government and New Zealand last Friday signed a Framework Development Cooperation Agreement to facilitate and enhance bilateral economic and technical cooperation between the two countries.
Mr. Mutati announced the 2018 national budget would be presented to Parliament on Friday 29 September, 2018, a change from the initial last Friday of October.
He explained that Government was in the process of finalising consultations and blending of some budget proposals from institutions and individuals with the government’s vision for development.
“One final consultative meeting will be held with Copperbelt-based economic sector players to reach common grounds on administrative priority action which is needed to promote Zambian entrepreneurs in the predominantly mining province,” Mr Mutati said.
This is according to a statement made available by the ministry’s head of public relations and media, Chileshe Kandeta.
Meanwhile, Secretary to the Treasury, Fredson Yamba, said the signing the agreement with New Zealand attested to the resolve by the government under the leadership of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to seek strategic partnerships.
Mr. Yamba, who signed the agreement on behalf of Government, said the agreement would deepen the industrialisation and economic transformation agenda, in line with the Economic Stabilisation and Growth Programme and the Seventh National Development Plan.
New Zealand was represented by Mike Burell, newly accredited High Commissioner of New Zealand to Zambia.
Under the agreement, New Zealand, one of the world’s largest producers of beef and dairy products, will give Zambia a grant for implementation of the Zambia Dairy Transformation Programme.
They will also offer technical assistance in the energy sector – particularly renewable energy.
In addition, New Zealand will give scholarships and awards to Zambians for studies and professional training in New Zealand, or home in Zambia, or in a third country agreed between the two parties. Further, Zambia will benefit through provision of equipment, materials, goods and services support by New Zealand.
Under this agreement, feasibility studies will also be carried out to promote growth enhancement relations of firms, institutions, and persons between Zambia and New Zealand.
