• It is difficult for government to turn around the country’s economy in an election year.
• Most multi-dollar investors tend to withhold their investment from the country.
• There is no indication that the economy will pick up from the downward trajectory.

A political Party has observed that it is difficult for government to turn around the country’s economy in an election year, despite having launched the economic recovery program late last year.
New Heritage Party Presidential candidate Chishala Kateka told Money FM News in an interview that this is because most multi-dollar investors tend to withhold their investment from the country, thereby affecting the wheels of the economy.
Ms. Kateka noted that currently, Zambia is in a difficult moment as there is no indication that the economy will pick up from the downward trajectory.
“Even without the COVID-19 pandemic, an election year is not an ideal year for an economic recovery program as all the attention is diverted to elections,” Ms. Kateka said.
She is optimistic of a positive economy post the August 12 general election.
“I do not see life line for the country’s economy now but perhaps it will start to turn around once the election period is completed,” she added.
Ms. Kateka called on Zambian people to be patient and wait for the election year to pass before they start seeing a turnaround in the country’s economy.
On 16th December 2020, Government launched the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) 2020-2023 that brings together a set of necessary Multisectoral policies and interventions aimed at restoring and building back better the economy in order to deliver on the national priorities