Sat, 03 Jun 2017 12:28:02 +0000
By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
THE current negative publicity by the international media has the potential to downgrade Zambia’s credit rating, hence affecting prospects for accessing the needed economic support from the global community, Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has observed.
CTPD executive director, Isaac Mwaipopo, said the centre was concerned with the country’s negative publicity by the international media as it might affect Government’s ability to borrow from cooperating partners such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“It is worth noting that governance rating is one important element used in determining a country’s ability to access financial support,” he said.
Mr Mwaipopo said failure to conclude the current negotiations with the IMF by Government may have severe implications for the economy as the bailout plan was one option that could greatly improve the country’s credit rating.
“CTPD is concerned about the growing negative publicity of Zambia which has now penetrated the international media platforms such as Aljazeera, Bloomberg and Daily Nation of Kenya, to mention but a few.
“There is a growing cost of doing business and local production following increase in electricity tariffs and subsidy removal on fuel. We think these are the issues that should dominate public debate rather than what is currently obtaining,” he said.
