PPDF plans path for inclusive economic growth

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

THE Public-Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) has commenced preparations for the 4th Private Sector Day (PSD), calling on stakeholders to submit proposals aligned with Zambia’s reform agenda and the evolving role of the private sector in fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
PPDF has urged that the proposed theme build on the momentum of previous events and reflect the country’s economic development vision.
PPDF Director for Strategic Communication and Partnerships Jacqueline Chishimba, invited stakeholders from the public and private sectors, civil society, development partners, and non-governmental organisations to propose a theme for the upcoming event.
Ms Chishimba revealed that since the forum’s formation in April 2022, a total of 93 reform issues initiated by the private sector had been adopted for implementation by the public sector.
She noted that the inaugural PSD in 2022 achieved key milestones, including the enactment of the Trade and Investments Act of 2023, reduced licensing fees for courier services, the removal of withholding tax on reinsurance, accelerated processing of environmental project briefs in the mining sector, and the scrapping of customs duty on geothermal energy equipment.
“In 2023, the 2nd Private Sector Day was hosted under the theme ‘An Enabling Business Environment for Private Sector Growth and Job Creation.’ The event strengthened collaboration between public and private actors, provided an opportunity for direct engagement with President Hakainde Hichilema,” Ms Chishimba said.
She added that President Hichilema was briefed on reforms across agriculture, energy, financial services, ICT and digitalisation, manufacturing, mining, media, and tourism, with the event resolving 86 policy bottlenecks through consensus-based dialogue.
“In 2024, the 3rd Private Sector Day was held. The event emphasised the importance of sustainable business practices in the face of climate challenges, with particular focus on energy and mining as engines of green economic transformation.
This dialogue underscored the need to build climate resilience while promoting investment, growth, and meaningful employment,” Ms Chishimba said.