ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT DOWNPLAYS POLLS GLOBAL ECONOMY EFFECTS ON ZAMBIA

Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary, Bulleti Nsemukila has noted the strong attributes of the local economy amid the global economic turbulence.

Dr Nsemukila says the Zambian economy has remained strong despite the economic problems being faced by international trading partners like the US.

He has said in an interview that the down-rating of the US economy in the backdrop of a debt crisis, will not affect the local economy.

Standard and Poors last Friday downgraded the US economy from triple A status to double A plus status on reasons of a non-effective debt crisis management plan.

Meanwhile, the Pretoria government says African nations should work on having a balanced trade and not a lop-sided trading pattern.

South African High Commissioner to Zambia, Moses Chikane has further spoken against one country looking down on the other in terms of trade.

Mr Chikane says an integrated and equal opportunity trade regime will foster continental economic growth and poverty reduction.

Meanwhile, Mr Chikane has appealed for increased trade partnerships between the Zambian and South African business people.