UNDP in the process of commissioning a short term consultancy on mainstreaming trade in national development and strategies

Government says the United Nations development programme (UNDP) is in the process of commissioning a short term consultancy on mainstreaming trade in national development and strategies.

Meanwhile government has admitted that one of the greatest challenges it is facing in implementing trade policies is lack of coordination amongst line ministries which is leading to duplication of activities and insufficient utilization of the national resources.

Commerce, trade and industry permanent secretary Stephen mwansa says the short term consultancy on mainstreaming trade in national development and strategies will give Zambia a starting point on assessing where it is in undertaking of mainstreaming trade in national development and strategies.

Mr. Mwansa says it is critical that trade is integrated in national and sectoral planning processes so that there is a holistic approach in the implementation of the country’s trade agenda.

He has noted that trade cuts across different sectors of the economy and by inference is covered by all ministries in one way or the other because trade, whether building capacity of people has a huge potential to boost the livelihood.

Mr. Mwansa adds that it is for this reason that inter-institutional coordination at policy and implementation levels should be enhanced.

The commerce, trade and industry permanent secretary Stephen mwansa said this today in Lusaka at intercontinental hotel during the sensitization breakfast meeting on trade mainstreaming.

And united national development programme (UNDP) deputy country director Georgina fekete says UNDP’s central interest is in seeing trade harnessed as a vehicle for achieving sustainable human development.

Ms fekete says trade as the potential to expand opportunities for local entrepreneurs, generate employment, deepens local skills and grows both economies and the domestic revenue needed to sustain development progress.

She says mainstreaming trade agenda and the broader aid for trade initiative is critically important in building the capacities of Zambia hence it is the main reason that her organisation is working within the enhanced integrated framework to support the Zambian government through the ministry of commerce.

Ms fekete has pointed out that for trade and the growth it generates to drive achievement of the millennium development goals and other internationally agreed goals, the benefits must reach more people.

she says mauritius can be considered a best trade practice and due to its strategic use of trade, average per capital income increased from US$260 in the 1960s to over US$5500 currently, lifting it to middle income country status.