LUSAKA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government said on Friday that the country's economic environment in the first quarter of 2018 was stable, with economic growth for the year remaining on target.

Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe said indications in the first quarter of the year showed that the country was building on the 4.1 percent economic growth registered in 2017, with inflation within the targeted 6 to 8 percent band margin while the local currency appreciated against major currencies.

"We expect continued positive growth and macroeconomic stability in 2018 with GDP growth projected above 4 percent," she said when briefing reporters for the first quarter.

This is premised on positive performance in the agriculture, mining, construction and manufacturing sectors, she added.

She further said the government was working towards attaining end-year fiscal deficit target of not more than 6.1 percent of GDP on a cash basis.