USAID administrator confer with finance minister.

...As Power announces a $30 million trade and investment programme

By Francis Maingaila 

Lusaka - (30-06-22 - Zambia24) - Finance Stumbeko Musokotwane held a closed door meeting with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator Samantha Power at a Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development where they discussed matters of mutual interest. 

USAID Administrator Powers told journalists when she called on Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane that the USA government will continue to support Zambia's political and economic reforms that will help the country enhance its political stability, economic progressive, job creation and food security.

Ms. Powers said the US administration under President Joe Biden will support Zambia to improve the lives of citizens.m

She said the agency will launch a new $30 million trade and investment programme that is designed to bring expertise to Zambian agricultural enterprises to help them boost their productivity and fuel regional exports.

Power said with its allies in Congress, the agency is also pledging an additional $9 million to immediately address the high cost of fuel, fertiliser and food in Zambia. 

She said the US is determined to support countries that want to strengthen governance, rule of law and democratic accountability.

She said the USAID has been working with Zambia in various sectors and is now looking at extending additional support to small scale farmers to increase their production.

USAID Administrator Power expressed happiness that she has been welcomed by the government of Zambia.

She said the partnership has ways been strong and is getting stronger by the day.

Meeting with the farmers, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) said the interaction was a quest to find ways to render support to the people of Zambia 

She said the USA has been instrumental in supporting the health and agricultural sectors to reduce  medical challenges and hunger.

"We will support small scale farmers to expand into medium farmers to grow more food. The USA wants to show bilateral partners to strength the rule of laws and not to weaken it.
The USA acknowledge the efforts made by the new government in trying to support the rule of law," noted Powers.

Powers reiterated  that the USA wants to expand the support and will ensure that the reform path that the New Deal Administration  has taken becomes a reality.
Dr. Musokotwane noted that the US through USAID has been Zambia's all weather partner and continues offering support to various sectors among them the fight against HIV and AIDS.

He said the USAID have been partners in development for many years as evidenced by many projects including the support to the aids pandemic 

The USA government has been instrumental to supporting Zambia when needed especially supporting citizens passionate on good governance.

In Lusaka, Dr. Musokotwane said the USAID has been on hand to support the country achieve globally  agreed to  good governance tenets.

On his part, Dr. Musokotwane expressed gratitude to the support Zambia has received from USAID. 


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