Cross Border Traders Association (CBTA) have called on government to put in place measures that will reduce the costs of conducting business at Lusaka’s COMESA market.
Cross Border Traders acting Chairman General Tadeo Taruviga further said traders at COMESA market are finding it difficult to continue importing goods from neighboring countries due to the depreciation of Kwacha.
He stated that the situation at COMESA will soon be similar to that of the closure of mines if nothing is done about it.
Mr. Taruviga said the traders in the market have resorted to forming trading groups to reduce the cost of transport when ordering goods from outside.
The acting chairperson also appealed to government to expand and renovate the market to create more trading space and make it more conducive for trade, it being a regional market which accommodates people of southern African.
Mr. Taruviga further said the government should also look into the condition of roads which lead to border towns saying that this will attract traders to conduct business in Zambia.
Henry Nyirenda a trader at the market said the market needed attention as it was in a deplorable state which is not conducive for trading.
ZANIS/AC/MKM/ENDS
Look for other avenues. Never depend on GRZ
These are times when the old saying “United We Stand, Divided we fall” comes to the fore. Nothing wrong with trade groups. If they extend to when you are getting goods from supplier and not just transport, you put yourselves in a better negotiating position.
But as we all know, even the cross border traders believe in one man for hinself and God…
this is it