Germany gives Zambia 57 mln euro grant

LUSAKA, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Germany on Friday gave Zambia a 57 million euro ($81.61 million) grant for help to improve water supply and sanitation, and for poverty reduction and education in the southern African country.

'These sectors are critical areas of our development co-operation programme since they directly impact on the people of Zambia in the remotest areas of our country,' Zambian Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said at a signing ceremony.

He also promised to ensure the money reached the intended projects after the Netherlands and Sweden in May froze $33 million in aid when it was found that senior health officials had stolen money.

Germany's ambassador to Zambia Irene Hinrichsen said her government had confidence in Zambia's development programmes and would continue supporting the country of 12 million people. (For more Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://af.reuters.com) Keywords: ZAMBIA GRANT/ ([e-mail]; [phone]; Reuters Messaging: [e-mail]; editing by Chris Pizzey) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.