Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Government has hinted at plans to set up a Great Lakes Trade Facilitation project at the Kasumbalesa border post as a way to provide a safer trading place for women.
Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame is concerned that about 70% women Small Scale Traders remain vulnerable and are hindered from accessing trade information.
Speaking at the 2019 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) empowerment workshop in Lusaka, Ms. Kayula says currently the Ministry is undertaking two other projects aimed at addressing the issue of Women and trade.
She explains that the Lobito Corridor Project on trade facilitation is looking at ensuring that women are able to access information through the trade information desks and are aware of all simplified trade regimes in place.
And Ms Siame has disclosed that Government has approved private sector participation at the Steering Committee Level for the measuring and implementation of the trade facilitation programme.
The Permanent Secretary has since encouraged the private sector to take advantage of Government’s commitment to the trade facilitation agenda by utilising this interactive forum.
Speaking at the same event, UNCTAD representative, Celine Bacrot says Zambia has various opportunities to enhance trade.
Ms Bacrot says Zambia has potential to push for more economic growth if it enhances its trade facilitation.
She states that the workshop will look at how Zambia can take advantage of its capacity to push for more economic growth.