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From the Editor

Dear JCTR Bulletin Readers:

As we end the year 2001, it is imperative that we look back form beginning of this year especially as it concerns development.  The important question that many may wish to ask is: has Malawi, Zambia and the whole of Africa seen any movement of people from less human conditions to more human conditions?  Or have there been during the year 2001 any improvements in people's living conditions.

The answer for those in Malawi and Zambia as well the wider part of Africa is certainly NO.  Cardinal to the hardship for Malawi and Zambia in particular is the rising cost of living exacerbated in the later part of the year by an upward adjustment in maize meal -- the staple food for the two countries.  So far indications are that the situation may not improve soon.  In Zambia, the cost of buying a 25 kg bag of maize meal has almost doubled from what it was six months ago!

At the beginning of the year 2001, the Zambian economy growth target was 5 per cent.  We are yet to see whether or not we came closer to realising this target.  We still hear some optimism though from government over attaining that target!   We obviously know that growth in the local economies of Zambia and Malawi is highly depended on growth in the world economy.

Key to the growth of the world economy is trade (Adam Smith some years back made a seminal contribution to this area in his analysis of the ''Wealth of Nations'').  Current reports with respect to growth of world trade are disturbing, particularly for developing countries. Complete letter

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