Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Monday:

-- The World Bank has urged the Zambian government to improve revenue collection so that economic recovery plans outlined in the 2017 budget can start taking effect to enhance people's livelihoods.

World Bank country manager Ina Ruthenberg however said raising revenue for economic recovery will not be easy since Zambia has continued to face tough economic conditions due to low copper prices and domestic challenges such as power shortages and tight liquidity. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- Zambian President Edgar Lungu said citizens from poor and humble backgrounds will not be denied an opportunity to quality education as government's intention was to ensure that all citizens have access to good education and health services.

The Zambian leader said his administration would ensure that no citizen suffers lack of education because of the circumstances they find themselves in. (Daily Nation)

-- Zambia missed a great opportunity to establish itself as a regional food basket in 2016 mainly due to a maize export ban introduced in May, a local think-tank has said.

The Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) said the country missed an opportunity to become a recognized regional food basket by failing to take advantage of a maize deficit that hit the region.

The think-tank said Zambia was projected to become a net importer of agricultural products despite its potential to maximize exports. (The Mast). Endit