Companies urged to tap into Zambian market

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ZIMTRADE, the country’s export promotion body, on Friday urged local companies to venture into the Zambian market to boost their businesses.

ZIMTRADE, the country’s export promotion body, on Friday urged local companies to venture into the Zambian market to boost their businesses.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

ZimTrade revealed this while disseminating findings of the Zambia market research in Bulawayo.

Findings showed that Zambia offers opportunities in sectors of processed foods, mining equipment and supplies, among other sectors.

“The objective of the market research was to generate information on business opportunities in Zambia as well as to gather relevant market-related intelligence,” ZimTrade chief executive officer Sithembile Pilime said.

“Zambia remains an important trading partner for Zimbabwe, ranking third in the region after South Africa and Mozambique.

Total trade between the two countries was worth $283 million in 2014. I implore you industry captains to take advantage of Zimbabwe’s cordial relations with Zambia to explore opportunities that have been presented,” she added

Africa Corporate Advisors executive director Malvern Rusike who presented the findings, said the Zambian market offers opportunities in sectors such as construction industry supplies, manufacturing inputs, agricultural implements/inputs, fast moving goods – for supermarket shelves – mining supplies and protective gear, professional services – for hospitality sector – among others.

He urged companies to tap into such opportunities.

“Companies wishing to export should develop action plans for entry into the Zambian market.

They should have links with distributors or associations in Zambia,” he said.

Rusike said companies would need to conduct further in-depth studies according to their specific areas of interest.

However, embassy of Zambia first secretary Zelipa Chitambo urged the government to remove trade barriers between the two countries.

According to ZimTrade, Zimbabwe is currently exporting products such as farm implements, coal, packaging material, tobacco, fish, wood, furniture and tea to Zambia.