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ZimTrade urges firms to venture into Zambian markets

Business
ZimTrade, the country’s export promotion body, has urged local companies to venture into the Zambian market and boost their businesses.

ZimTrade, the country’s export promotion body, has urged local companies to venture into the Zambian market and boost their businesses.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

The body told stakeholders in Bulawayo on Friday on the dissemination of the findings of market research of the Zambian market that there were opportunities that needed to be explored.

“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.”

Pilime added: “I implore you industry captains to take advantage of Zimbabwe’s cordial relations with Zambia and explore the opportunities that have been presented.”

Africa Corporate Advisors executive director Malvern Rusike, who presented the results, said the Zambian market had opportunities in sectors such as construction industry supplies, manufacturing inputs, agricultural implements/inputs and fast-moving goods.

He said there were opportunities for supermarket shelves, mining supplies and protective gear, professional services and hospitality sector, among others.

“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 needed 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 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.