LUSAKA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Thursday launched a new national development plan with President Hakainde Hichilema calling for hard work to actualize its objectives.
Launched under the theme, "Social Economic Transformation to Improve Livelihoods", the plan runs from 2022 to 2026.
Hichilema said the plan presents the country's ambitious but bold steps for the country's social-economic development.
He said the plan was the country's medium-term blueprint to unlock the country's potential in various sectors for sustainable, holistic and inclusive development.
"May we as a people of Zambia cherish the art of hard work. It is a necessary ingredient to achieve success," he said.
According to him, the macroeconomic objectives set in the 105-page plan intend to place the economy on a higher growth trajectory by, among other things, restricting fiscal deficit, enhancing domestic revenue mobilization, and addressing and curtailing the accumulation of domestic arrears.
He further said the plan was anchored on key measures targeted at addressing the debt problem, providing free education, scaling up social safety nets and taking service delivery and resources to the people.
Situmbeko Musokotwane, the Finance and National Planning Minister, said the plan sets out the country's strategic direction, development priorities and implementation of strategies that will play a pivotal role as building blocks toward the attainment of the national vision.
The ministry, he said, will ensure that resources were channeled toward activities in the plan. ■
