CTPD urges re-look at investors’ economic perception

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) says the country urgently needs to re-look at the economic perception of prospective investors in view of the reduction in investment pledges in the first half of 2015.

CTPD Executive Director Isabel Mukelabai notes that in the recent past, the country’s credit rating has been downgraded due to the poor economic outlook which implies that prospective investors might be holding back their investment.

Ms. Mukelabai says there is need to have a more robust economic management approach to things, noting that there is too much policy inconsistence at the macroeconomic level.

She explains that investors are not only looking at the overall performance of the country’s GDP, but are looking for creditability in terms of the policy environment such as the exchange rate, the lending rate among others.

Ms. Mukelabai says it is important that the country comes up with policies that will encourage investor pledges the country needs so much.

She states that investment pledges when fulfilled contribute largely to the economic growth of the country as well as to job creation creating in the country.

The Zambia Development Agency has revealed that Zambia has recorded a reduction in investment pledges for the first half of 2015 valued at US$1.1 billion compared to the same period last year which was recorded at US$3. 6 billion.