Zambia needs economic independence – Sampa

Zambia needs economic independence – Sampa 

 

Livingstone, Aug 6/14, ZANIS——–Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister, Miles Sampa, says despite achieving political independence, the country is still a long way from attaining its desired economic state.

 

Mr Sampa said the high poverty levels could not be justified unless the country repositioned itself and revamped its economic fundamentals.

 

“Zambian resources should be utilized in an efficient manner that will ensure we realize our vision and transform all sectors of our economy,” he said.

 

He said this in Livingstone today he when he officially opened the Annual Business Conference organized by the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) at Zambezi Sun Hotel.

 

The conference, held under the theme: ‘50 years of accounting for sustainable economic development’, was organized in collaboration with Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and ACCA.

 

Mr Sampa emphasized the need for Zambians to be more entrepreneurial as this was the only way to achieve the country’s goal of being a prosperous nation.

 

“But while government is putting all these measures, there is need for a sense of urgency on the part of citizens to change behaviour and attitudes and become more industrious,” he said.

 

Mr Sampa was confident that as government implemented economic policies, Zambians would be counted among the leading exporters of not only raw materials but finished goods to its neighbours.

 

Earlier, ZICA President, Wesley Beene, noted that at independence in 1964, Zambia had less than five accountants but 50 years down the line, it boasted of over 5000 accountants.

 

Mr Beene commended government for strengthening the accounting cadre in the civil service as all ministries were currently manned by qualified and experienced accountants.

 

“Further, government’s decision to make the local accountancy qualification the first point of call like in other professional qualifications like law and medicine deserves commendation,” he said.