Zambian finance minister Felix Mutati has said he is confident that the economy will grow by the government’s projected 4.3% in 2017.
In a statement on the mid-year performance of the economy he said his confidence was driven mainly by growth in the major sectors of agriculture, mining, construction, transport and storage, and the wholesale and retail trade.
Increased electricity generation will also contribute to this positive perspective, and is expected to support growth in other sectors. Severe drought in 2016 had a major impact on Zambian electricity production as it is mostly hydro power.
The minister also said there were plans to continue financing infrastructure projects using government pension funds.
In order to raise more financing for developmental projects, and in line with the guidance by the Republican President for Pension Funds to support infrastructure development, NAPSA (National Pension Scheme Authority) recently participated in financing of the Ndola-Solwezi road.
“Similar arrangements will be explored for other capital projects,” he said in the statement.
