‘Micro, small and medium enterprises cut across all sectors of Zambia’s economy and provide one of the most prolific sources of employment and wealth creation. The development of micro, small and medium enterprises is viewed as one of the sustainable ways of contributing to economic growth and development, reducing the levels of poverty and improving the quality of life of the people,’ Shamenda said.

At least 5000 decent green jobs will be created and the quality of 2,000 existing  jobs will be improved by 2017, by reducing energy consumption, improving water conservation or efficiency, and through the use of materials such as wood based building products from sustainably produced timber.

The programme will facilitate for the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through the promotion of eco-friendly building and housing materials and the installation of renewable energy technologies such as the use of solar energy.

Speaking at the launch green growth in Zambia Guy Ryder stresses the importance of youth employment, social dialogue and green jobs in the future development of the country.

The 5-year US$12.1 million Green Jobs Programme is a partnership between the Zambian government and the United Nations, and is led by ILO and with financial assistance from the government of Finland, Ryder said.

The Programme is responding to the renewed Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). These programmes are inter-related and contribute to the job-centred revised Sixth National Development Plan (RSNDP) of Zambia, which aims to create 600,000 jobs by 2016.