macroeconomic stability has been built and achieved in zambia. from the central bank perspective, the bank of zambia has worked to improve its own credibility by working with commercial banks and other financial institutions to improve governance arrangements in the financial sector, improve the frequency and level of communication between the bank and the institutions that it supervises, as well as the general public. much of this work has been done under the framework of a comprehensive financial sector development plan ( fsdp ) that has had broad support from our cooperating partners. at the regional level, a new sadc model central bank act has also been approved by the ministers of finance in sadc that enshrines important principles of independence and good corporate governance as a yardstick to be followed by all central banks in the region. chairperson, distinguished participants, in conclusion, let me simply state that i believe that we in africa have an opportunity and an obligation to consolidate reform and ensure that we can return to and surpass the high growth rates, of above 5 %, witnessed in the new millennium. this is important not just for africa and the challenge of reducing poverty, but also the world, as demographic changes shift the burden of production onto the younger generation – which is concentrated in the developing economies, including africa. i am happy to note that my invitation for colleagues to visit zambia and see the wonderful opportunities for investment and progress that exist have been heeded as i did receive a delegation from italy early this year. i cannot therefore end without encouraging all of you to visit zambia when you have the opportunity – i can assure you that you will not be disappointed. i thank you for your kind attention.

caleb m fundanga : the importance of cross border information exchange for zambia remarks by dr caleb m fundanga, governor of the bank of zambia, at the launch of the alumniportal deutschland, lusaka, 25 november 2008. * * * • her excellency the ambassador of the germany embassy in zambia • management and staff from the germany embassy in zambia • fellow alumni • members of the press • distinguished invited guests • ladies and gentlemen guten abend meine damen und herren. i am truly honoured to officiate at this important launch of the alumniportal deutschland. i am informed that africa has a rare honour of being the first continent to implement the alumniportal deutschland. i am certain that our implementation process will define the failure or success of the whole project. we thus have a huge challenge to ensure that we achieve success and provide a benchmark for others to emulate. however, looking at the many beaming faces present in this room, i have no doubt that we will provide more than just a benchmark for others to follow. i am glad to note that we are all optimistic on the success of this project in zambia in particular and africa in general. we have a duty to represent our continent and give it the honour that it so deserves. your excellency, the launch of the alumniportal could not have come at more opportune time when cross border information exchange has become cardinal in every aspects of life especially trade. i am reliably informed that almost 250, 000 people from all over the world receive education or training in germany annually. furthermore, i am advised that about 2000 african students are awarded a degree every year. the germany curricular is certainly becoming increasingly influential in business and other field in africa. this is beneficial to our continent as we are in a position to benefit from interactions with a diverse human resource in alumni activities after completion of the courses or training. however, after graduation, a good number of us zambians have a tendency to forget and cut off all windows of communications with the past. we properly pack our certificates and contacts in our archives and let them accumulate dust. we therefore, end up forgetting the precious friends that were once a great part of our lives and a source of knowledge. it is no wonder that the country ’ s representations at international institutions like the united nations, international monetary fund and the world bank is very low. this is a sharp contrast to the levels of representations at such institutions by other african countries