Further, the value added tax on selected agricultural equipment and spares, was zero rated as incentive to increase agricultural production and productivity. (ii)  Tourism sector: – In order to diversify the economy and attain broad based economic growth, Government increased the allocation to the sector to improve access to the Northern Tourism Circuit (infrastructural development in Mbala and Kasaba Bay). Further, Government will embark on the development of a new world class tourism area in Livingstone, and step-up the development of road infrastructure in key national parks namely, Luangwa and Kafue. (iii)  Manufacturing: – In order to expand the manufacturing base, Government is promoting the establishment of Multi-Facility Economic Zones (MFEZ) on the Copperbelt (Chambishi), and Lusaka (Lusaka south and east) provinces by providing for fiscal incentives and quality infrastructure development in the budget. Operations at the Chambishi MFEZ have already commenced. Further, the budget reclassified and re-categorised certain manufacturing materials with the aim of lowering customs duty rates. (iv)  Mining sector: – In light of the adverse impact of the global economic crisis on the mining sector and with the view of easing these effects, the Zambian Government introduced tax concessions, which included removal of the windfall tax, increasing capital allowance to 100 percent as an investment incentive, and reduction of customs duty on Heavy Fuel Oils.
Conclusion  The Bank of Zambia and the Government will continue with efforts to deal with challenges from the global economic and financial crisis, which still remain significant and continue to threaten macroeconomic stability and the long term growth path of the economy. In this regard, focus will be on attainment of the following objectives: •  Maintaining macroeconomic stability;  •  Maintaining fiscal prudence to ensure that it does not become the source of instability;  •  Increasing or consolidating public and private sector investment in infrastructure that builds the long term productive capacity of the economy and helps to diversify the economic base;  •  Improving the business climate by lowering the cost of doing business; and  •  Harnessing regional markets as an alternative source of demand for exports as well as source of supply for goods and services, including energy. 6  BIS Review 161/2009