services. this will in part minimize the risks associated with such innovative products as people will only make better judgments about their financial affairs if they understand the risks and returns associated with the product and services at their disposal. it is also apparent that financial illiteracy is more costly as people who make poor financial decisions will inevitably end up with a far lower standard of living than was otherwise achievable. mr. chairman, i wish to conclude by applauding celpay ’ s initiative to host the first ever mobile conference in zambia. the deliberations and recommendations of this conference will be keenly followed as the need to leverage access to financial services through the mobile phone is of paramount importance. mobile banking will lead to increased outreach, increased efficiency and productivity as well as increased returns for businesses. let me once again assure you, mr. chairman that, the bank of zambia is committed to providing an enabling environment through appropriate regulation for banks and financial businesses that wish to promote financial inclusion. we appreciate the mobile banking initiative by celpay zambia limited and look forward to greater investment in financial inclusion in our beloved country. i thank you.

bis central bankers ’ speeches sectors targeted for these jobs are agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and construction ( including infrastructure ). ladies and gentlemen sustained efforts to bring in private investment coupled with supportive public policies and investment, would contribute to enhancing productive capacities and generating the much needed jobs in our country. this should be coupled with easier access to credit for productive enterprises - especially micro, small and medium - sized enterprises ( msmes ) – and reforms to foster technological change and productive diversification in line with the changing structure of the global economy. in the above recognition and its continued quest to contribute to unleashing the potential of local msmes, the bank of zambia hosted a strategic forum on the role of finance in this area, in june this year. as a follow - up, the government is working closely with stakeholders and the cooperating partners in improving availability of financial resources to msmes. further, some provision has been included in the 2013 budget. distinguished participants msmes could play an important role in creating employment and spurring growth. however, their competitiveness is undermined by inadequate infrastructure, limited access to financial and business services. stakeholders can help small firms to integrate in, and reap more benefits from local and international value chains, by facilitating the provision of business services, among which continuous skills development is paramount. an important policy question is how to address the constraints which affect the capacity to grow and generate earnings of msmes, very often informal that operate in traditional sectors and account for the bulk of jobs in our country. this feat, ladies and gentlemen, can only be achieved gradually, as the drivers of informality are usually multiple and deeply rooted in long - standing development gaps and weaknesses. dear participants, we recognised the efforts made by the government aimed at enhancing a broad spectrum of skills in the country through such institutions as teveta. what is required is a more targeted intervention in order to improve labour market opportunities for individuals by helping them obtain necessary skills and facilitating labour market transitions. countries that have been most successful in skills development did so by sustaining implementation of coordinated policies linking education systems, skills formation, employment and decent work. these countries include india, costa rica, and south korea. they made quality education broadly available and introduced mechanisms to match supply to the current demand for skills, often by means of linking training providers and employers at sector and local levels. they helped workers and enterprises adjust to change and used skills strategically as a core element of industrial, technology and trade policies to move from lower to