National planning and development Minister Lucky Mulusa says significant progress has been made in the preparation of the Seventh National Development Plan.

Mr. Mulusa has told parliament in a ministerial statement that efforts are being made to synchronise strategic interventions to address economic diversification and create resilience in the economy.

He explains that the zero draft document has been prepared and is currently being edited in readiness for validation.

Mr. Mulusa says planners from all sectors are meeting to jointly review the programs and projects contained in the draft document and how they contribute to meeting the strategic focus.

He adds that attempts are also being made to mainstream national, regional and international initiatives in the plan such as the sustainable development goals.

He further states that issues of gender, disability and climate change will also be mainstreamed in the planning process.

Mr. Mulusa says the plan is expected to meet key developmental outcomes such as reducing poverty and inequality, improving governance among others.

He states that the outcomes once met are expected to meet key criteria required for Zambia to graduate from being a least developed country to a prosperous middle income country.