PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said Zambia has made progress towards attainment of the millennium development goals (MDGs) particularly in the health sector.

Mr Banda said although much still needed to be done in meeting the MDGs, progress had been made in combating malaria, HIV/AIDS and reduction in mother to child transmission.

Speaking when he received letters of credence from the Irish Ambassador to Zambia Tony Cotter at State House yesterday, Mr Banda said his Government was committed to ensuring that it achieved the MDGs.

Mr Banda said the number of people accessing anti-retroviral therapy (ART) had increased among them HIV positive children with statistics rising from 13,000 in 2007 to 18,000 in 2008.

He said there had been a marked reduction in mother to child transmission from 39 per cent in 2007 to 53 per cent last year while the number of people undergoing voluntary counseling and testing has increased from one per cent in 2007 to 23 per cent last year.

Mr Banda said it was gratifying that the Irish government continued to render assistance to Zambia in various developmental sectors such as gender support and social protection programmes.

He said Zambia had moved from the days of hopelessness when being HIV positive which was perceived as death sentence and that people had hope of a brighter future regardless of their status.

He paid tribute to the Irish government for the continued assistance and that Zambia would continue to look forward to continued co-operation and assured that it would ensure that funds released were used for intended purposes.

Mr Banda challenged the incoming ambassador to enhance bilateral relations that existed between the two countries, especially in the area of trade.

He further called on Irish investors and tourist to come toZambia and explore various opportunities that the country had to offer.

Mr Banda further said the newly launched Anti- Corruption policy would assist address the loopholes that existed in its system.

Mr Cotter pledged that his government would continue to strengthen relations through extensive programmes of development co-operation and that Zambia was one of the seven countries supported by Ireland in Sub Sahara Africa.

Mr Cotter said last year, his government disbursed more than 14 million pounds to the Ministry of Education which led to the recruitment of more than 15,000 teachers in the last three years while 1.2 million students were accessing basic education since 2000.

He said the Irish government was also contributing towards the fight against HIV/AIDS and providing direct support to four district councils and that it awaited approval of the decentralisation implementation plan to better the lives of people.

He commended President Banda for launching the anti-corruption policy and other measures put in place to strengthen the fight against corruption and urged the Government to ensure that it implemented the policy.

He said efficient, effective and impartial implementation of the policy at all levels was crucial so that Zambians and the broader international community could have full confidence in the Government's commitment to tackle corruption.

Meanwhile, President Banda has urged the newly sworn in Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender in Development Division (GIDD) Gabriel Kaunda to use his experience to deal with issues affecting the ministry.

President Banda, who was speaking at State House urged Mr Kaunda to remain steadfast and continue to work hard to deliver to the Zambian people.