LUSAKA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Michael Sata Thursday said despite the southern African nation's economy recording impressive economic growth in recent years, the major task facing his administration is to reduce the high poverty and unemployment levels, according to a statement released by his office.
Sata, who won the Sept. 11 elections on the promise that he will create more jobs, reduce taxes and put more money in people's pockets, said although macro-economic stability and appreciable economic growth has been achieved over the recent past, his administration's main task is meeting the basic needs of Zambians as poverty levels and unemployed still remain a challenge.
His administration, he said, is committed to creating sustainable employment and economic growth and that the government will continue to lower costs in the economy in to raise the living standards of poor households, according to a statement released by his spokesperson George Chellah.
The government will also thrive to create a better Zambia for all by supporting the initiatives of people in the robust economic transformation of the country, he added.
According to the statement, 195, 744 jobs have been created since Sata's administration ascended to power in September 2011 while foreign reserves have risen to 3.215 billion United States dollars as of December 2012 compared to 2.322 billion dollars in December 2011. Foreign Direct Investment pledges in 2012 stood at 10.089 billion dollars.
