The combined free and government press is agog with speculation as to where this might lead. What is for certain is that the requirements for poverty relief acknowledge a high degree of infrastructure commitment to make transportation and communication easier. That means only good things for the Zambian economy as an important transit country. Zambia’s debt relief is also tied to export levels and there is a need to promote both traditional and non-traditional exports according to Lusaka-based economist, Chibamba Kanyama. He believes that the attainment of HIPC completion provides a window to have resources intended for debt servicing channelled to sectors of the economy which he hopes includes support of export oriented industries. Today the Copper price is riding a crest with little likelihood of changing. There are plans to open nickel and copper mines. At least two new copper mines are planned for the Copperbelt along with expansion of the Konkola deep mine outside Kitwe in that same belt. Konkola has deep ore reserves expected to last for about 20 years.
