AMERICAN Ambassador to Zambia, Donald Booth says he is optimistic that the recently held North-South Corridor conference will work towardspoverty reduction in the region.

Mr Booth said the pledges made towards the implementation of the North-South Corridor project would also enhance economic trade and improved infrastructure, which is key to any economy.

Mr Booth was speaking in an interview during the just-ended conference on the North-South Corridor for east and southern Africa held at Lusaka's Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

He said the North-South Corridor conference was important, as it would assist in alleviating poverty which most countries were trying to eradicate.

He said infrastructure development was cardinal if trade between the regions had to be a success, and described the holding of the conference as a step in the right direction.

Mr Booth added that his government remained committed to supporting ventures aimed at contributing to economic development, poverty alleviation and fighting disease.

During the just-ended North-South Corridor, cooperating partners pledged more than US$1 billion towards the development of infrastructure for countries in east and southern Africa.

The donors said the funds pledged would be used to upgrade roads, rail and port infrastructure.