Government is concerned with the low contribution of the manufacturing industry to the country’s gross domestic products (GDP) and the formal workforce.
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Margaret Mwanakatwe said the manufacturing sector’s eight percent contribution to the country’s GDP is minimal hence the need to increase it in order to create wealth and
employment for the Zambian people.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe has however reaffirmed government’s commitment to dialogue with all key stakeholders in addressing the various challenges affecting the growth of the manufacturing industry in the country.
She said this in Lusaka today when she officially opened the Zambia Association of Manufacturers’ (ZAM) 29th elective annual general meeting (AGM).
The ZAM annual general meeting is being held under the theme “manufacturing for accelerated structural transformation and sustainable social-economic development”.
And Mrs. Mwanakatwe has implored ZAM to urgently bring on board structural transformation matters that will add value to the growth of the local manufacturing industry in the country.
She said government recognises ZAM as a key driver in accelerating the production of competitive locally made products.
Earlier, outgoing ZAM president Bright Chunga said his association did not perform to the expectations due to various challenges.
Dr. Chunga said there was need to promote competitive access to raw materials by ensuring that the country’s tax policy does not penalize imports of inputs while allowing finished products duty free entry.
GRZ should without delay embark on a massive cleaning up exercise in Zambia to avoid deaths during the coming of this year’s rain season. Reports to the effect that ELEPHANTITIS, CHOLERA, TYPHOID etc are on the increase in Zambia are extremely scary and worrying.
GRZ should quickly set up recycling plants, like they have done with milling plants in all Provinces in Zambia. Further and after construction of these recycling plants, they should then ask ALL Zambians especially the young and jobless, women and even old people to get involved and deliver to these recycling plants at least; 50kg of rubbish each for a fee of K20.00 per each delivery. I can tell you, it won’t be long when ALL rubbish in Zambia will disappear within weeks!
…..Zambia Police will be equally very busy too because thefts of RUBBISH from would be owners/deliverers would become rampant. Only the Zambian himself/herself can do this and NOT the Chinese…
Useless statement from an inept minister. She doesn’t know that there is no manufacturing in zambia? Some pipo are just so dull to listen to.
It surely is a surce of concern.
ZAM is a good inititive but it should not only be a wailing wall. I think government can do more to remove obstacles and encourage local manufacturing industries. Especially when it comes to production of local food, clothing and housing.
Fyonyooo..Fyonyooo…Fyonyooo. This verbal diaoriha is exposed to dull Zambians every yr. What time does GRZ have to address this when they are busy campaignin or stealing borrowed funds ?.
This lady is merely a tool handpicked and placed there to further the riches of the corrupt politicians like Banda and his protege; the lazy bum in State House.
Surely how can you be concerned when the cost of production and doing business in Zambia is very high…you would rather give tax breaks to foreigners that encouraging SMEs.
There she is concerned meanwhile her deputy Sampa is in the UK studying and selfishly obtaining another certificate in Leadership at Oxford instead of working, whose time is he getting a certificate on why not resign and then go and study…this why I always say we do need these useless deputy ministers.
You visionless parasites!!
Am suppose u mearnt dont need these useless dpty ministers.but he is taking advantage of loopholes bcz the govt is paying for him.