Former Mufulira Chamber of Commerce and Industry General Secretary, Sonlack Ndhlovu has called on government to come up with deliberate policies to intensively promote the growth of the manufacturing sector.
Mr. Ndhlovu said the weakness of the manufacturing sector has resulted into the importation of simple items that can easily be manufactured in Zambia.
He said Zambia has continued to lose huge sums of money through the importation of goods that could be produced locally with the strengthening of the manufacturing sector.
He cited items such as safety clothing and other small items that mining companies import extensively.
He said the effects of the global economic melt down should be a lesson to make Zambia think seriously about the need to diversify its economy, adding that the effects of the phenomenon could have been cushioned had that been done.
Mr. Ndhlovu urged government to set aside some money under the Citizen’s Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) for the strengthening of the manufacturing sector.
He said Zambia’s economy will remain sluggish if it continues to depend on copper exports the control of whose prices are in the hands of foreign investors.
He said the manufacturing sector is capable of increasing the country’s foreign exchange earnings if it can be revamped as has been the case with the tourism sector that has since become one of Zambia’s major foreign exchange earners.
Since the introduction of privatization during the second republic, Zambia has remained with only a few major manufacturing companies, namely Zambia Sugar, Lafarge and Ndola lime among a few others.
ENDS/LNN/CMM/PK/ZANIS
Good advice, this is how Japan and the Asian Tigers grew their economies. Instead of going round looking for investors, we request our Prez and his govt to promote local enterprises. NCZ, Mansa Batteries, Mulungushi Textiles, Livingstone Motor assemblies and smaller ones started by zedians. Zambia will only develop by Zambians.
Supa loaf, LENCO, DPB
well said.
Good advice and we hope RB government is listening and prepared to invest in research and development . The knowledge obtained should be used in improving the small and medium scale manufacturing and this in turn should start contributing a signifficant share to the domestic output.
Thats spot on that is the way our country can increase foregin exchange and move towards development. There is a great need for industralising our country by making these manufacturing companies by Zambians it will also be a way of creating employment. And thats what citizen empowerment fund should be for. The priority for the citizen empowerment fund should be for manufacturing.
I have not read the story because i have read a lot of these befor funny enough its always a former fi mo fimo why these suggestions are not made while in office katwishi. Its like they say as spectetors we see a lot that participants dont see and we always critisis the most.
It is sad that everyone is just babbling – it would help to be more specific. The pot is limited .. so please have a specif plan and lobby government on it.
How can it be promoted, when people start manufacturing Zeee and Taico drinks you arrest them, why not correct and guide them to do things in the right way.
No comment. As usual, akamba yeka. You think they can listen to a “former ntwanikane”?
One the spot. We are tired of being a trading nation of Chinese products coming from Dubai and other places.
Spot on!!Why don’t we have more ppl Mr Sonlack Ndhlovu? I just hope its not just his brilliant oratory skills buttering our ears, if this is genuine I salute u Sir!!Hope Mr RB took this advice in..well put indeed