By JOHN SAKALA
Czech Ambassador Radek Rubes says Zambia’s current economic reform evolution resonates with that of the Czech Republic, two decades ago.
Mr Rubes said Zambia’s geographical location gives it a commanding advantage in the regional transportation and logistics chain.
He said this during a courtesy visit on Finance Minister Bwalya Ng’andu at the latter’s office in Lusaka.
Mr Rubes extended the invitation of his country for a benchmarking and best practice exchange programme in management and control of public finances, debt management, taxation and customs management, fiscal management, and administration of public private partnership programmes.
“My country wants to deepen development cooperation with your beautiful country, through programmes such as the benchmarking and best practice initiative,” he said.
And Dr Ng’andu thanked the Czech government for extending the invitation to Zambia “as there will be performance improvement benefits from the best practice and performance benchmarking initiative.”
The Minister took the opportunity to explain how Zambia’s developmental trajectory is targeted at optimising efficiency gains in air, road and power supply connectivity.
The completion of priority air, road and power projects will further open the country to regional trade, said Dr Ng’andu.
He cited the new terminal building at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the new airport in Ndola, the Kafue Lower Power Project, and the Kazungula Bridge as some of the projects that will propel Zambia to a higher level of development and logistical connectivity.
This is according to a media statement issued by Ministry of Finance Spokesperson Chileshe Kandeta.
The Czech economy is a developed export-oriented social market economy based on services, manufacturing, and innovation. It maintains a high-income welfare state and the European social model.
