Zambia says budget deficit unsustainable, started IMF talks

By Chris Mfula LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia and the International Monetary Fund have begun talks on an aid program after agreeing that the country's budget deficit was not sustainable, a senior Treasury official said on Friday. The budget has come under strain as weak metal prices, electricity shortages and a slowing economy in resource-hungary China have hit growth in Africa's second-biggest copper producer The government hopes to conclude negotiations on an IMF programme during the lender's annua