LUSAKA, Zambia: In his speech at the opening of Zambia's Parliament, His Excellency Mr Rupiah Banda, President of Zambia, has hailed the work already undertaken to secure the foundations of the country's stability and prosperity.

Speaking at his Annual State of the Nation Address, President Banda highlighted the achievements of his Government and the people of Zambia including:

Trade and the economy

    
    - economic growth predicted at 6.6% or stronger
    - inflation falling to 8% by the end of the year
    - mineral export earnings of US$4.2 billion in the last year
    - other export earnings of US$1.4 billion in the last year
    - a World Bank ease of doing business ranking that has risen ten
      places in the past year
    - an unprecedented 2.7 million tonne maize harvest bringing
self-sufficiency in food

Fuel and energy

    
    - quadrupled strategic fuel reserves
    - power generation increased by more than 1,080 mega watts
    - completion of 67 rural electrification projects, with 24 in
      progress

Education

    
    - the training and appointment of 12, 500 new teachers since
      2008
    - the construction of 87 new schools since 2008 and 2, 543
classrooms in 2009

Infrastructure

    
    - 17 new bridges built since 2008
    - repair and refurbishment of over 40,000 km of roads

Health

    
    - 12 new district hospitals commissioned or under construction
      and 5 clinics upgraded to district hospitals since 2008
    - 323 new health centres and health posts commissioned and 9 mobile
      health centres procured since 2008
    - recruitment of 3, 600 doctors and health workers since 2008
    - creation/refurbishment of more than 1,000 clean and safe water
      points
    - child immunization rates above the 85% World Health Organisation
      target
    - delivery of anti-retro viral drugs to 89% of the population
      afflicted by AIDS, an increase of 25 percentage points since last year
    - a 66% decline in malaria-related deaths, outstripping the 2010
      'Roll Back Malaria' Abuja target of 50%

President Banda said: "The Zambian economy has delivered growth despite the global recession, thanks to the sound economic policies adopted by the Government. Projections are that economic growth will remain at about 6.6% or stronger, driven by mining, tourism and construction, with inflation predicted to fall to 8% by the end of this year. I am rightly proud of this stable economic platform delivered by my government.

"Economic stability will yield jobs and increased foreign investment. While there is a need for continued economic growth, truly we are laying the foundations of tomorrow's Zambia."

In his speech the President saluted the workers of Zambians from all walks of life in delivering prosperity, stability and security. He commented: "Zambians have worked hard to maintain Zambia as an oasis of peace allowing for much needed development. We are doing what we do best - working together for the good of the nation."

With 2011 being an election year in Zambia, the President concluded his speech by reminding the nation to consider what had been achieved since 2008, adding: "The Government is proud of what it has done and of its ambitious plans for the future. But we have much more to do for Zambia, to build on the foundations of security, stability and prosperity for all, which we have set down since 2008. We must strive to build a better Zambia for future generations."