Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba says President Michael Sata has left a legacy anchored on his vision of inclusive growth for all through sustained high rates of economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation.
Mr Yamba says under President Sata’s able leadership and guidance, the economy grew by more than 6 percent per annum, well above the Sub- Saharan Africa average, while inflation has been contained within single-digits.
In a statement made available to QFM on the country’s economic performance under President Sata’s leadership, Mr Yamba says the external sector, especially non-traditional exports grew significantly with agriculture exports exceeding US$1 billion dollars, the highest in the history of the country.
He says this reflects President Sata’s will for the country to diversify the economy.
Mr Yamba adds that Zambians also witnessed an unprecedented focus on capital investment in social and economic infrastructure, particularly in health, education, roads, rails, and energy sectors.
He further states that as a mark of growing investor confidence, Foreign Direct Investment has continued to grow reaching the peak of US $1.73 billion in 2012, the highest in 12 years.
He says it is in this regard that Government would like to re-assure the nation, investors and cooperating partners, that strong macro-economic policies underpinned by the need for high sustainable growth, creating jobs and reducing poverty, will remain its focus.
Mr Yamba says as a nation, the economic policies will continue to be sound irrespective of who takes office after the elections.
He says this is on account of a strong bedrock upon which the economy is based.
The Secretary to the Treasury has since appeal to all economic players, to remain calm as they execute their business activities and to desist from speculative tendencies that may cause instability in the economy.
He says Government has put in place stringent measures to ensure smooth operations and safety of public resources and assets.
Mr Yamba has also made an assurance that the Government will honour all domestic and international obligations, contracts, agreements and relationships.
He says there is therefore no basis for panic by any economic players both foreign and domestic as the situation will be handled with greater firmness, maturity and unity.