The cover story in this newsletter focuses on the 2013-2014 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) report. The article highlights two critical reasons why the launch of the report is timely. Firstly, the Revised Sixth National Development Plan (R-SNDP) comes to an end in 2016 hence the ZDHS can give insights about the achievement of health outcomes during the R-SNDP period and where gaps remain. Secondly, the ZDHS shows how Zambia has performed on health. “Do Zambia’s Copper Exports Disappear into Thin Air?” discusses the destination of Zambia’s copper exports to Switzerland and China. The next article is on a topical issue that has recently generated a lot of debate- mining taxation. Our key message here is that there is need to strike a balance between taxes on profits and royalties because relying entirely on royalties runs significant risks. “Reflections on the Visa Waiver Pilot” highlights the discussion around the abolition of entry visa fees and the possibility of waiving entry visas for international tourists. “Consumer Preferences of “World Health Freaks” “explores the development in healthy food produce for consumers and how this has influenced food exports. “Government Commissions ZIPAR to review 1996 National Housing Policy” looks at the continuing housing shortage in Zambia. “Prudent public expenditure necessary to contain current fiscal deficit-ZIPAR” discusses the need for reforms from Government to exercise more prudent public expenditure to bring down the fiscal deficit. “ZIPAR to lead GREEN Economy Initiative” highlights the training provided for over 100 participants from different countries on implementing inclusive Green Economy approaches as a means for reducing poverty and ensuring more equitable sustainable development. In “Formal sector labour productivity declines by 3 percent” the focus is on the declining productivity of labour in Zambia. “ Developing a Research Agenda on Youth Employment in Africa” explores the viability and the details of developing a coherent and useful intervention that would have an impact on policy.
