Republican President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed his gratitude to the World Bank for its continuous support to the country during critical times.
Earlier this morning, President Hichilema received World Bank Regional Vice-President for Eastern and Southern Africa, Victoria Kwakwa, and her delegation, who visited State House to bid farewell to the government as their mandate concludes.
Speaking when he addressed Mrs. Kwakwa and her delegation, President Hichilema recalled and hailed the World Bank regional team for its support through Zambia’s process of successfully restructuring its debt.
“You and your team and our bank, did a lot in Zambian debt restructuring. We call it the mission impossible, and with your help and that of your team, including sister institutions like the IMF, we are here. It took a bit long, but it got done,” President Hichilema said.
The Head of State emphasized the critical role the World Bank still plays in supporting Zambia through its agenda for economic and developmental growth.
“You play such an important role for us, and sometimes I tell Zambians that some of the work they see done is done by many other people behind the scenes, and you are one of those,” he said.
With the World Bank having provided US$207.6 million to Zambia in its drought response efforts, President Hichilema assured the bank’s outgoing delegation that the country was on course for economic recovery and transformation with the new reforms set out by the government, particularly in the sectors of energy and agriculture.
“Now we have to accelerate the energy reforms, and we are very happy in this space. We have set our targets in the energy and agriculture sectors, and I think we are on the way to achieving them such that three years from now, rain or no rain, we should have enough energy and enough food,” he said.
President Hichilema also reiterated his administration’s commitment to maintaining the warm relations it has established with the World Bank since coming into power.
“In the years back, our citizens felt that the bank and the fund were monstrous organizations, and we took a posture when we came in that these are our institutions. We own these institutions, and I think we sit in a good space now that we have a good relationship, and average citizens understand that we are partners and have one agenda. That is very important to get things done,” he concluded.
