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Government continued to implement the Agriculture Policy (2004-2015) in order to facilitate and support the development of a sustainable and competitive agricultural sector that assures food security at national and household levels and maximize the sector's contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The vision for the mining sector in the country's long term development plan is to have a well-organized private sector led mineral resource exploration and exploitation that contributes to sustainable social economic development by 2030. To achieve this, Government will put in place measures to improve regulation, supervision and enforcement of statutory commitments in the sector, strengthen tracking of potential investors and improve the efficiency of the system of logging, dissemination of information on available plots for mining and recording of commercial mining activities.

Mining remains a priority growth sector notwithstanding the desire for diversification from over dependency on mining. Over the period 2013-16, the country's objective as per the revised six National Development Plan is the completion of the revision of legislation on mining, petroleum and explosives. These revisions are aimed at facilitating mineral diversification away from dependency on copper and cobalt to nickel, gold, manganese, iron and uranium as well as other precious stones. The revision will also increase exploration activities and ensure sustainable production and management of mineral resources.

The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development in consultation with private sector and other key stakeholders implements the Mineral Resource Development Policy of 2013 which puts forth measures for the creation of a sustainable and orderly mining industry that contributes to the economic development of Zambia. The policy focuses on attracting local and foreign investment in the sector for the sustainable exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, integrating the mining sector in the domestic economy and ensuring acceptable health, safety and environmental protection standards.

The Mines and Minerals Development Act No. 11 of 2015 repeals and replaces the Mines and Minerals Development Act No. 7 of 2008 and provides for safety, health and environmental protection in mining operations and for the establishment of the Mining Appeals Tribunal. The Act also provides guidelines for mining and non-mining rights, exploration and mining licences, mineral pressing licenses, gold panning certificates, mineral trading, import and export permits, authorisation for radioactive minerals and mineral analysis among others.

To sustain growth in the sector, Government will continue to develop and rehabilitate key infrastructure such as access roads to tourist sites, airports and cultural centres. The sector has in place the Tourism Policy of 2015 and the Draft Wildlife Policy of 2016 premised on government's commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity and World Conservation Strategy to guide its operations. These policy directions will continue to promote tourism for economic growth, poverty alleviation and preservation of the country's heritage.

Electricity is currently being generated by three major power stations, namely Kariba Dam North Power Station, Kafue Gorge Power Station and Victoria Falls Power Station. The country has an estimated hydropower capacity of 6,000 MW. Only about 27% (1, 640 MW) of the total capacity has been installed.

Agriculture, manufacturing, energy, construction, tourism and mining are considered to be the key growth sectors in the R-SNDP (Revised Sixth National Development Plan). The Government is committed to creating a favourable business environment for these priority sectors; active incentive schemes are already in place in this regard (Section 3). Priority sectors are poised to mainstream cross-cutting issues such as HIV, gender, disability, environment and disaster risk management into their key output indicators.

Zambia participates actively in the WTO, and is a member of the following groups in the negotiations: (...) "W52" sponsors (sponsors of TN/C/W/52, a proposal for "modalities" in negotiations on geographical indications (establishing a multilateral register for wines and spirits, and extending the higher level of protection beyond wines and spirits) and "disclosure" (patent applicants to disclose the origin of genetic resources and traditional knowledge used in the inventions)).

VAT is zero on, inter alia: (...) energy saving appliances, machinery and equipment; (...)