PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has called on the business community to pass on the benefits of Zambia’s economic recovery to ordinary citizens.

In a statement issued by State House Chief Communications Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka, Saturday, President Hichilema stated that despite positive economic developments recorded, improvements had been too slow to reach the prices citizens pay in shops, at markets and for transport.

“President Hakainde Hichilema has called on the business community to pass on the benefits of Zambia’s economic recovery to ordinary citizens, following sustained improvements in the country’s key economic fundamentals. Inflation has reduced, the kwacha has remained stable, the country has recorded a bumper harvest, electricity supply has been stable, and the price of petroleum products has continued to fall. These gains have been achieved through the hard work of the Zambian people and the disciplined management of the economy by the government. The President notes, however, that these improvements have been too slow to reach the prices citizens pay in shops, at markets and for transport. Where the cost of doing business falls, the cost of living should follow,” stated Hamasaka.

“Zambia is a free market economy and will remain one, because that is what has attracted the investment now driving the recovery. But a free market carries responsibilities as well as freedoms. The President is confident that Zambian businesses, which called for these very improvements for many years, will now reflect them in their pricing as a matter of good corporate citizenship. The President further expects the implementation of the 24-hour economy to raise productivity across all sectors, building on these stabilized fundamentals and further easing the cost of living for citizens. The management of the economy is not a political exercise. It is the daily work of the government, and it will continue with the same discipline regardless of season”.