THE Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) is next week scheduled to undertake a Trade Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with 32 Zambian companies both large and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from various sectors.
ZDA Communications and Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse confirmed the development in a press statement issued yesterday.
Ms Chimanse said the Trade Fair would be held in the DRC from October 7 to October 9, 2015.
And ZDA Director Export Development Jonathan Simwawa said the DRC market was the largest single export market for the Zambian goods in the region with a population of approximately 77 million people.
Mr Simwawa said in 2014 alone, Zambia exported 33 per cent of its Non-Traditional Export (NTE) products into the Congo DR in excess of US$ 800 million.
He revealed that the main purpose of the Congo Trade Mission was to coordinate the participation of both large and SMEs in the trade mission with the view of increase NTEs.
He added that the trade mission was further aimed at maintaining Zambia’s market foothold and expand the market share in the DRC.
“Promotion activities of this nature must be supported if we want to see a rise in the volumes of Non Traditional Exports. No sooner we relent on such promotional activities than other countries take up our place in the regional market,” explained Mr Simwawa.
Mr. Simwawa said there would be a three days exhibition, which would be followed by business to business meetings to identify key importers of Zambian products.
Some of the large companies going with the Agency for the trade mission include Zambia Sugar Plc, Superior Milling, Global Industries, Furnace Fabrica, Zambeef Plc, Industrial Gases, Metal Kingdom Supplies and others.
The SMEs include Hearts of Mercy, Livingstone shoe Manufacturer, Emma’s Wear, Choma Dairy Cooperatives, Zundu General Dealers and others.
Mr. Simwawa said there were banks which operate both in Zambia and Congo DR such as Eco Bank, and Stanbic in Lubumbashi and traders can take advantage of these banks in their future transactions with Congo DR counterparts.
He adds that the recent Bilateral Trade Agreement signed between Zambia and Congo DR in August 2015 will further strengthen the trade between the two countries.
He further explained that such promotional activities have to be extended to all the countries in the sub region in order to improve the country’s export market.
Is that Kalusha’s baby-Mama?
This is the step in the right direction. Instead of concentrating on political rhetoric and useless debates on tribal that tribal this; global that global that etc., our government must put most of their efforts on activities like this.
Spearheading trade missions in the entire region and abroad together with the private sector is the sure way of strengthening the Kwacha.