Copper output has increased steadily since 2004, due to higher copper prices and the opening of new mines. The maize harvest was again good in 2005, helping boost GDP and agricultural exports. Cooperation continues with international bodies on programs to reduce poverty, including a new lending arrangement with the IMF in the second quarter of 2004. History Economic policies soon after independence (1964–1967) thumb|GDP per capita development of Zambia, since 1950 The British South Africa Company (BSAC, originally set up by the British imperialist Cecil Rhodes) retained commercial assets and mineral rights that it acquired from a concession signed with the Litunga of Barotseland in 1892 (the Lochner Concession). Only by threatening to expropriate the BSAC, on the eve of independence, did the incoming Zambian government manage to get the BSAC to relinquish the mineral rights. The Federation's government assigned roles to each of the three territories: Southern Rhodesia was assigned the responsibility of providing managerial and administrative skills; Northern Rhodesia provided copper revenues; and Nyasaland provided the Black labour.
Copper output has increased steadily since 2004 due to higher copper prices and the opening of new mines The maize harvest was again good in 2005 helping boost GDP and agricultural exports Cooperation continues with international bodies on programs to reduce poverty including a new lending arrangement with the IMF in the second quarter of 2004 History Economic policies soon after independence (1964–1967) thumb|GDP per capita development of Zambia since 1950 The British South Africa Company (BSAC originally set up by the British imperialist Cecil Rhodes) retained commercial assets and mineral rights that it acquired from a concession signed with the Litunga of Barotseland in 1892 (the Lochner Concession) Only by threatening to expropriate the BSAC on the eve of independence did the incoming Zambian government manage to get the BSAC to relinquish the mineral rights The Federation's government assigned roles to each of the three territories Southern Rhodesia was assigned the responsibility of providing managerial and administrative skills; Northern Rhodesia provided copper revenues; and Nyasaland provided the Black labour