Chair of the EITI Board, Clare Short took part in the latest BBC World Debate at the first Mining & Investment Forum in Lusaka, Zambia. Other panelists included Situmbeko Musokotwane (Zambian Minister of Finance and National Planning), Emmanuel Mutati, (Mopani Copper Mine), Andrew DeSimone (Vale), Steve Manteaw (ISODEC), Kapil Kapoor (the World Bank), and was hosted by Redi Tlhabi.
In the debate Clare Short said: "All over the world there has been total secrecy about the contracts, about how much the production was, about how much they really pay to the government, how much the government receives. If there’s nothing to hide, let’s get all of this out in the open. Let the people know what it costs, how much is being produced, what proportion of profits are being paid in taxes."
Zambia's Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane said: "The mineral wealth that we have is a blessing provided we manage it properly, provided we bring investors to come to invest, and provided good rules about how those investors behave in our country, how they share the taxes and other things. It does not become a curse, but a blessing."
Andrew DeSimone from Vale said: "Going forward, there is no way that benefits can accrue in Africa or anywhere if the private sector, governments, and civil society do not work together. Dialogue between these three groups is crucial."
Audio from the debate: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00j2pq1
Video from the debate: http://mybigdebate.com/?p=266
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