Zambia in K3.63 billion EU support

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World AIDS Day

Zambia will receive 484 million Euro about K3.63 billion between 2014 and 2020 as support from the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund Programme.

This follows successful talks held between Zambian government and the European Union on future Strategic Partnership and negotiations on the 11th European Development Fund Programme.

The discussions and negotiations were held on the sidelines of the East, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Region – European Development Fund (EDF) Programming Seminar recently held in Brussels Belgium.

Outgoing Finance Deputy Minister Keith Mukata headed the Zambian delegation while the EU was represented by Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs and EU Ambassador to Zambia Gilles Hervio.

The cooperation will focus on energy, agriculture and governance.

In the energy sector the proposed support is expected to compliment the resource requirements for rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam, and the promotion of technology transfer through solar power projects, as an alternative household energy source aimed to replacing charcoal and firewood.

Commenting on the matter, Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda says the initiative for an expansive solar energy programme is consistent with the Zambian Government’s effort to combat deforestation.

Mr Chikwanda notes that in the agriculture sector, Zambia will benefit through programs aimed at strengthening the provision of nutrition, animal vaccine production, fisheries and conservation farming.

A statement issued to QFM News by Ministry of Finance public Relations officer, Chileshe Kandeta says with respect to Governance, the EU plans to offer financial support through Sector Budget Support to the Public Financial Management Programme in order to strengthen accountability of public institutions.

The European Development Fund also proposes to contribute to various on-going programs such as Support to Electoral Commission as well as the Access to Justice Project.

And EU Ambassador to Zambia Gilles Hervio has commended the outcome of the bilateral talks held in Belgium and expressed the EU’s desire for stronger cooperation with Zambia.

Zambia has also been picked as a destination for the 2014 Regional Meeting on strengthening private sector gains from EU Cooperation.

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