President Banda Outlines Vision to Build a Better Zambia in Sixth National Development Plan

LUSAKA, Republic of Zambia, February 4, 2011 - Today His Excellency Mr Rupiah Banda, President of The Republic of
Zambia, launched the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP), outlining the
Government's five year commitment to building a better future for all
Zambians.

Speaking at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, the
President said: "Today marks a time of renewal and recommitment to our
national vision of being a middle-income country by 2030. We have created a
framework to achieve sustained economic growth and reduce poverty - measures
which will help to improve the standard of living for all Zambians."

"We will continue to focus on investing in infrastructure, road, rail and
air transportation, education skills, health and water sanitation. The
private sector remains crucial to Zambia's development and we will continue
our work to provide a climate that encourages investment and partnership."

The World Bank recently named Zambia as a top ten improver for doing
business, recognising President Banda's efforts to assist people in starting
up businesses, facilitating cross-border trade and endorsing contracts.

In the National Development Plan, The President went on to outline the
following key commitments, which build on the foundations his Government has
laid down in recent years:

    - The proportion of people living in extreme poverty is
      expected to decline from 37% in 2006 to 29% in 2015
    - Rural poverty is expected to decline from 77% in 2006 to 50% in
      2015
    - The projected funding for the plan is K132 trillion which will be
      met by K103 trillion of domestic resources and K29 trillion from
      external assistance and prudent borrowing
    - To continue to address the structural bottlenecks in the economy
      in order to accelerate socio-economic transformation which will fuel
      prosperity

The International Monetary Fund predicts that Zambia will be one of the
top ten fastest growing economies for the period 2011 to 2015, echoing
President Banda's optimism that, by working together, all Zambians can look
forward to a future of peace, security and prosperity.

Contact: Dickson Jere, press at presidentbanda.com, Special Assistant to the President, Press and Public Relations.