The Centre for Trade Policy and Development this morning launched its first ever Economic brief quarter one highlights and prospects for the second quarter.According to the brief, the macroeconomic outlook for the first quarter of 2021 seems to be abysmal, partly suggestive that the long journey to economic recovery is perhaps still at the take-off stage.

The brief noted that Inflationary pressures persisted in the first quarter and that the Kwacha continued to depreciate.The brief further noted that Zambia’s debt position worsened, as both domestic and external debt increased in the first quarter.

And prospects for the second quarter, the brief stressed that Economic activity is expected to improve in the second quarter as various economic agents resume full-time work.

The brief also Economic activity is expected to improve in the second quarter as various economic agents resume full-time work.

The brief however notes that Inflationary pressures are expected to be moderate as the depreciation of the Kwacha will expectedly slow down.