§ 9. Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the Government's role in reducing debt in Zambia. [147646]
§ Clare ShortAfter years of growing poverty and corruption, Zambia has embarked on a programme of economic reform. In 2000 the Zambia copper mines which were inefficiently run and massively subsidised were finally privatised thus releasing resources for social expenditure. The UK provided $81 million to support his reform. This and commitments to improved economic management and focus on poverty reduction enabled Zambia to qualify for debt relief in December 2000. Debt repayments stand to be reduced by $270 million a year over the next three years. However, calls for President Chiluba to stand again for election in breach of the constitution and a halt to the agreed programme of economic reform could endanger further debt relief.
597W
§ 11. Mr. Fabian HamiltonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of micro-credit schemes in Zambia in reducing poverty. [147648]
§ Clare ShortWe provide £10 million for micro-credit programmes in Zambia.
These programmes are currently providing credit to 11,000 people rising to 50,000 over the next four years, both in rural and urban areas, more than half of whom are women.
Our assessments of these programmes have shown that micro-credit clients have higher incomes, better household nutrition and increased access to education and health services.