Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The European Union (EU), through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Related Facility (TRF) project, has given Zambia a grant of 800,000 Euros to implement trade related interventions in the gold mining and ago-based sectors which include Aquaculture, Dairy,Pineaples and Rice.
Preceding this, the government received an initial grant of 420,000 Euros which was used in setting up the project management unit and implementing start up interventions on sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS), technical barriers to Trade,Trade facilitation and promotion among others.
In a statement, ministry of commerce, trade and industry permanent secretary kayula siame says the 800,000 Euros funding will build on the specific activities which have been earmarked in the aforementioned interventions.
Mrs Siame says among the specific activities implemented mining cooperatives in Rufunsa and Petauke Districts ,an exercise which was undertaken in partnership with the Ministry of Mines, procurement of gold panning and mining equipment which includes four gold detectors, one microscope, and two shaking tables.
She says the procured equipment is expected to be officially handed over within February 2019.
The Permanent Secretary states that the equipment which is yet to be procured includes four sluice boxes and 12 panning dishes.
Mrs Siame explains that the contracted supplier who was engaged to supply this equipment failed to deliver and the contract was, therefore, cancelled.