Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe is optimistic that Zambia and South Africa will resolve disputes regarding the export of organic products into South Africa.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe says this will mitigate trade imbalances between the two countries.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe says the move will allow the Zambian honey to easily penetrate the South African market.The Minister was speaking when she opened the 2015 Zambia-South Africa Trade and Investment Forum in Lusaka.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe says government has embarked on various policy reforms such as reducing the licensing regime as part of attracting more investors into various sectors of the economy.
And South African High Commissioner to Zambia Sikose Mji says unemployment challenges affecting the continent and the region have not spared Zambia and South Africa.
She says the business delegation from South Africa is looking at establishing a win-win situation for all as this will mitigate trade imbalances between the two countries
Ms Mji said this is what the Late South African President Nelson Mandela promoted under the spirit of building each other and one another.
What is the nature of disputes that are being referred to?
Let Zambians learn a lesson to stop thinking foreign is good?? Just stop south African products as well who will lose?? Its more of South Africa than Zambia..
We are busy banning imports of some food stuffs from RSA and at the sdame time u want our sub standard honey to enter the RSA market.shame this GVT has failed PERIOD
this beach what is honey and yoyo export,lungu is visionless
Hon. Mrs. Mwanakatwe,
Instead of getting embroiled on this issue, can you PLEASE clarify why various Government Agencies or Authorities under your direct supervision, ZBS; ZDA; CCPC; TMO (just to name few) are either failing or are selective (of course after successful extortion) to enforce Law? My I respectfully remind you about State of Zambia International rights and obligations under various ratified Treaties which are constantly ignored by your Ministry.
Have you Hon paid back the money you owe CEEC?
There are lessons to be learnt from these disputes. South Africa has stringent importation measures in place whereas Zambia has almost none. This is the reason why you find some retail outlets in Zambia importing South African mangoes, pineapples, sweet potatoes, etc. Yet South Africa does not accept these Zambian produce. There is only one African country that South Africa respects. And that country is Nigeria. The reason is simple; Nigeria stands up to South Africa by hitting back. It is high time Zambia learnt to play the tit for tat game.
Weak toothless leadership indeed just tell ZRA to stop that rubbish coming into the country destined to their shopping malls and they will resolve everything swiftly.