BuyZed Campaign says intentions by President Edgar Lungu to start inspecting the compliance of stocking local products in chain stores will encourage the display of more local products in the stores.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Organization Founder Evans Ngoma however said it does not need to take the Head of State to carry out the survey, but that the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry has to spearhead the program and ensure that chain stores comply with the directive.
“The Pronouncement by the Head of State to conduct a survey to ascertain whether chain stores are complying with the directive to stock local products is a good step to encourage the display of locally made products,” Mr Ngoma said.
“Compliance to displaying local products in the stores does not need to take the Head of State to carry out a survey, but that the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and associated ministries have to spearhead the program and ensure that chain stores comply with the directive.”
Mr Ngoma stated that according to the findings of the organization, selling of local goods in the stores now stands at 48 percent.
He added that challenges that most stores are facing is inconsistency by some farmers and suppliers to supply the products on time.
“The selling of local goods in the stores now stands at 48 percent, but the challenges that most stores are facing is inconsistency by some farmers and suppliers to supply the products on time prompting them to look elsewhere for the product,” he said.
During his address to parliament last Friday, President Edgar Lungu indicated that he will be carrying out impromptu visits to chain stores to check on their adherence to stocking local products.