Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Mukuba Mall in Kitwe
Republican President Edgar Lungu has directed all supermarkets operating in Zambia to include Zambian grown produce and local products on their shelves.
Speaking during the opening of the US$50 million Mukuba Shopping Mall in Kitwe today,President Lungu said there is no reason why Zambian grown tomatoes,potatoes, and other produce are not given sufficient shelf space in supermarket chains that benefit extensively from government’s investment incentives.
President Lungu said he will personally be making surprise visits to supermarkets and similar retail outlets to check on their compliance to this directive.
He has commended the developers of Mukuba Mall Heriot Properties Investment Limited for taking advantage of the good investment climate and in having the justified confidence in the Zambian economy for them to continue expanding their investment.
President Lungu stated that such commercial developments give sound confidence to investors in the strength and growth of the Zambian economy and is an assurance that investing in Zambia continues to make good business sense.
He has however noted with concern the minimal and decreasing presence of Zambian businesses in the high end retail spaces and shopping malls.
President Lungu said this development could be as a result of rental pricing structures that may border on prohibitive trade practices and work against local tenancy.
He has since encouraged all mall developers to work with the ministry of commerce trade and industry to develop deliberate and more inclusive rental pricing structures that encourage local tenancy in the malls.