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Commerce, Trade and Industry
THE HONOURABLE ROBERT SHICHINGA
MINISTER OF COMMERCE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Dear Readers,
The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry stands as a strong institution to effectively and efficiently facilitate and promote sustainable
growth, development and competitiveness of the commercial, trade and industrial sectors in order to enhance socio-economic development
in the Republic of Zambia.
Zambia has developed in many ways in the past few decades. Economic reforms in the period since 1991 have included a free currency
exchange regime, privatization of many state-owned enterprises, financial market developments such as the stock market, and the pursuit
of structural reforms backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, such as the removal of consumer subsidies and
price controls and the Private sector Reform Programme.
My Ministry’s main goal is to promote economic growth and development as indicated in the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) and
the Commercial, Trade and Industrial (CTI) Policy. The 2011-2015 Strategic Plan provides theMinistry with a current operational framework
and has also articulated the mission, goal, objectives and their associated strategies and performance indicators.
The successful implementation of these Plans and policies will largely depend on the support and cooperation of various stakeholders.
The Private Sector Development Reform Programme (PSDRP) was launched in 2004 with the objective of accelerating private sector led
economic growth, job creation, wealth creation and easing the cost of doing business. Under the PSDRP, a number of priority reform areas
have been identified including business licensing aimed at removing unnecessary licenses. As such it is expected that the private sector will
take a leading role and Government will also endeavor to facilitate the creation of an enabling environment through the enactment of Public
Private Partnership (PPP) agreements.
Furthermore, the Government is implementing the Multi-Facility Economic Zones (MFEZs) designed to make Zambia competitive through
increased activity in trade and manufacturing sectors, which have numerous positive spillover effects in other sectors such as utilities, trans-
port, agriculture and services. The MFEZ development also responds to the vision articulated by the minister of finance in the 2009 budget
of a vibrant and diversified economy where hard work and the spirit of enterprise are rewarded.
The MFEZs blend the best features of the Free Trade Zones (FTZs), Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and the Industrial Parks/ Zones
concept and create the administrative infrastructure, rules, regulations etc that benchmark among the best dynamic economies. The blend-
ing of physical infrastructure with an efficient and effective administrative infrastructure will create the ideal environment for attracting major
world class investors.
The Ministry has to date identified six (6) areas earmarked for the MFEZ vis-à-vis: Chambishi, Lusaka East Sub Zone, Lusaka South Sub
Zone, Lumwana (Solwezi), Sub Sahara gemstones exchange Industrial Park (Ndola) and Roma Industrial Park.
As we move forward, we must not be demoralized or intimidated by the challenges we face. We must remain focused on what needs to be
done with a view to diversify our economy. Job creation is key to economic growth and the MFEZs will contribute significantly to this goal
while reducing unemployment. The MFEZs will provide strong business linkages and set the momentum for business expansion opportuni-
ties as a basis for sustained economic growth.
Zambia is centrally located and this makes it an attractive investment destination with market access into COMESAand SADC, which have
a population of more than 480 million. This means that goods manufactured in Zambia, can enter the COMESA and SADC markets at
preferential rates.
With regard to our Strategic Plan we remain fully committed to realize the 2030 Vision and greatly enhance Zambia’s competitiveness on the
international arena. I invite international investors to come and see for themselves the many opportunities that are within Zambia.
Sincerely,
Robert Shichinga
Minister of commerce.