TWO THINK-TANKS AGREE TO BOOST ECONOMIC RECOVERY

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU AN agreement to promote private sector participation in economic recovery amid Covid-19 using evidence based information has been signed by two think thanks. The Zambia Institute for Policy and Analysis (ZIPAR) and the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) signed the agreement which will influence empirical evidence based information to support the manufacturing sector. The two institutions are committing to leverage each other’s strength to advance empirical evidence relevant to supporting the growth of the manufacturing sector in Zambia. This is according to ZIPAR Executive Director, Herrick Mpuku. “ZAM will facilitate access to data from its members, whole ZIPAR will subject this to rigorous analysis to discern behaviour and performance patterns and common challenges of the manufacturing sector. “This will assist ZAM develop a basis for engagement with the Government and other stakeholders on matters of interest to them,” Dr Mpuku said yesterday Ludaka during the signing ceremony of the agreement. He observed the need for evidence base research to understand the binding constraints to manufacturing performance and industrialisation. Dr Mpuku said the MoU would therefore facilitate such research and other areas of cooperation to harness and maximise the benefits of a vibrant and strong manufacturing industry. ZAM president, Ezekiel Sekele, said the importance of economic and statistical research in the manufacturing sector could not be over emphasised. Mr Sekele explained that this was be cause it was easily assimilated by policy makers and was the genesis of effective manufacturing sector policy. “In order to undertake effective policy advocacy, ZAM has taken an evidence and research approach which gives solutions to real life challenges faced by the manufacturers we represent. “Furthermore, evidence based policy advocacy is actually in line with ZAM’s objective to undertake economic and statistical research that may be valuable to the association,” he said.