MORE effort should be made to prepare the economy for Zambia’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which has been in place since January this year.
There is need to come up with an export-driven strategy that will encourage the manufacturing sector to participate effectively in the yearning continental market.
Being a land-linked market, Zambia can benefit effectively from the expanded marketplace under the AfCFTA if producers of goods and services in the economy grabbed the opportunity by upping production.
Issues to do with lack of quality branding and packaging of locally-produced goods should be resolved through a multi-sectoral approach.
The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) should as a matter of urgency work with the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) to devise strategies that will boost manufacturing of export-oriented goods.
As more countries join the one Africa market, it is important that stakeholders use the country’s raw material potential and upscale the manufacturing sector ready to participate in the AfCFTA. Read More.
