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Zambian leader limits foreign travels

Xinhua, November 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Thursday limited foreign travels by government officials as part of austerity measures meant to stem the country's faltering economy.

Lungu, during his first press conference since winning the January 20, 2015 presidential election said only essential travels will be allowed with few entourages as part of measures to instill fiscal discipline and reign on public expenditure.

The Zambian leader has since advised ministries and government departments to utilize the country's embassies dotted across the world to represent the country during meetings.

He further told government officials to minimize travels within the country as another cost-cutting measure, adding that only essential travels locally should be undertaken.

"These are necessary measures required bring economic stability," he said during a press conference held at State House.

While acknowledging that some of the factors affecting the country's economy were global in nature, the Zambian leader pointed out that dealing with the problems was his government's business hence the need to announce austerity measures.

The Zambian government has further announced the suspension of new infrastructure projects and focus resources to completing old and incomplete projects.

The measure, he said, were meant to restore fiscal and monetary stability following the pressure exerted on the local currency due to falling copper prices which have resulted in reduced foreign exchange earnings. Endit