LUSAKA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has launched a think-tank whose functions would be to meet the needs for capacity building in the country's economic policy formulation, monitoring, research and analysis, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Saturday.

Zambian minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane, who launched the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) on Friday, said the organization is formed as a result of little and sometimes incoherent contribution from professionals and academicians to the country's development.

The country's economic development policy formulation and research has mainly been carried out by government ministries and agencies, Daily Mail said.

"This government is committed to promoting a paradigm shift. we seek change in the way we do business. We recognize the need to embrace new ideas," Musokotwane was quoted as saying by the paper.

According to the Zambian Minister, it is Zambian government's desire to receive non-partisan professional advice in matters relating to the economic management of the country's resources.

the minister said that ZIPAR will create a forum where professionals could meet to dialogue and influence the development agenda of the country.

Musokotwane further said the desire of the government is to make economic policy management an inclusive process and that a semi-autonomous think-tank is well poised to provide evidence-based policy advice and undertake consultancy services to the public and private sector.

ZIPAR has been established by the Zambian government and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Daily Mail said.