The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has called on government to be consistent in the implementation of policies in order to ensure a predictable business environment as well as to allow for better planning.
ZACCI President Michael Nyirenda says government should consider timely payment to suppliers for goods and services in order to avoid shocking the businesses.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr Nyirenda revealed that the Business Confidence Index (BCI) for the first quarter of 2019 has substantially decreased by 137.8 points to 23.6 points from 161.4 points recorded in the last quarter of 2018.
He explains that the recorded BCI of 23.6 points which is lower than 100 points signifies negative sentiments about the business climate in the first quarter of 2019.
Mr Nyirenda has since attributed the decrease in the depreciation of the kwacha, to low sales due to reduced demand, and delayed payments by government, poor liquidity and increase competition from foreign goods.
He states that other factors that contributed to the decrease include policy inconsistency, lost contracts to supply the mines, particularly on the Copperbelt Province and poor rainfall especially in Southern Province.
This is good observation but PF will only act if it is anything to do with politics. Economic matters awe. Threaten their hold on power you will see how quick they respond.
I dont understand why this government fails to comprehend the importance of consistent and predictable policies. All they talk about are measures…whatever that is. Measures taken must be within the policy frame work. What sort of people are running this country ???
Lenders dictate Zambian policies. so our policies are tailored for whoever is lending our government money with hopes that some Zambians will benefit, that’s why our small businesses rarely grow.