They should also consider utilizing the opportunities that the EIF process provides of formulating proposals so as to access the funds. They should consider vividly reading the Diagnostic Trade Integrated Study (DTIS) so as to identify the priority areas that have been tabulated so as to compose very good and comprehensive proposals that will reflect the priority areas needing.
Project proposals for funding are prepared by the National Implementation Unit (NIU) in close consultation with the National Steering Committee (NSC), the Donor Facilitator (DF) and the Executive Secretariat (ES). In preparing such proposals the NIU also request the advice and assistance of other partners such as the IF multilateral agencies, (IMF, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP, World Bank, WTO), the donors, NGOs, the private sector etc so as to have a broader perspective an approach. Good proposals which come from the private sector, CSOs and other state actors are also welcome and must contain a short description of the objectives in relation to the NIU work plan, execution and management arrangements and budget according to the prescribed Format. This input and collaboration is very important for Zambia for it provides immense participation and consultation thus having good and pro development proposals. It is in this regard that CUTS Lusaka has taken this opportunity to implore other stake holders to take advantage of this opportunity in order to have a well meaningful development process. Hence it is important to note that access of funds is demand driven i.e proposals should focus on developmental areas that are priority.
Further, it’s worth mentioning that the DTIS notes that Zambia has unrealised potential and could score a lot more in her quest to diversify the economy by harnessing her natural resources- and labor-intensive activities such as agriculture, agro-processing, tourism, textiles and garments, and light manufacturing that could be taken in to account by other actors. It embraces the various sectors identified in the Priority Sector Assessment Studies as having export potential through in-depth assessment of issues affecting these sectors including floriculture and fresh vegetables, cotton, tobacco, coffee and paprika. It extends the assessment to textiles and garments, processed foods, gemstones, engineering products and tourism.
It also identifies constraints that have prevented Zambia from expanding and diversifying her export base. The issues are varied and range from policies and infrastructure, through to inadequacies in schemes meant to improve export performance and trade facilitation.
Lastly, there is also need to look beyond the priorities for 2009 which include implementation of the Honey and Livestock Value Chain Analysis, addressing.