Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya says people who do not mean well for the country are exaggerating Zambia’s economic challenges.

And Siliya says government is neither afraid nor opposed to criticism but that people should criticise in a constructive manner to move the country forward.

Speaking when Economic Association of Zambia president Dr Lubinda Haabazoka paid a courtesy call on her, Tuesday, Siliya, who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister, said Zambia remained a preferred business destination in the region.

“While it is indisputable that the country is currently going through some economic turbulence due to various factors, the situation is being blown out of proportion by some people,” said Siliya.

She said negative sentiments about the country’s economic challenges had the potential to harm Zambia’s reputation.

Meanwhile, Dr Haabazoka said EAZ was equally concerned about the negativity which was being peddled by some people on the country’s economy.

Dr Haabazoka said EAZ had since decided to hold a national economic summit in July 2019 in Livingstone to brainstorm solutions to the country’s economic challenges as well as showcase the country’s vast investment potential.