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Zambia’s Trade Dips Due To Covid-19

Summary

Mr Yaluma says Zambia’s slow down in economic activity has not reached a level that forces people into panic buying caused by artificial shortage of essential goods. And Mr. Yaluma says government is keen on enhancing trade with other countries and easing procedures for exporting and importing of goods. Launching the publicity campaign for the Zambia Trade Information Portal at his office today, Mr. Yaluma said government is easing processing and availability of information required to trade through the portal.

Updated on : 11-05-2020

Commerce Minister Christopher Yaluma says Zambia’s trade has slightly declined due to the effects of the Covid-19.

Mr. Yaluma, however, says the country is still coping despite the drop in trade because of key interventions put in place by government.

He says despite Zambia’s key trading partners like South Africa enforcing a complete economic shut down, Zambia is still in touch with trade missions and is able to get necessities and raw materials from the countries.

Mr Yaluma says Zambia’s slow down in economic activity has not reached a level that forces people into panic buying caused by artificial shortage of essential goods.

And Mr. Yaluma says government is keen on enhancing trade with other countries and easing procedures for exporting and importing of goods.

Launching the publicity campaign for the Zambia Trade Information Portal at his office today, Mr. Yaluma said government is easing processing and availability of information required to trade through the portal.

He said the portal will allow people wishing to export or import goods to conduct their entire process online so as to cut the cost of doing business for those in other towns and promote physical distancing in view of the Covid-19.

Mr. Yaluma further noted that the portal created with support of USAID and the World Bank will be periodically updated to provide information and enhance trade.

He said despite the official launch slated for May 29, 2020, publicity campaigns for the portal will continue to allow it penetrate foreign markets.

(Source)