• Zambia Consumer Associations welcomes government proposal to enact bill to promote local products.
• Government should offer incentives for companies to produce competitive products.
• Zambians have over the years supported companies utilising local products.
Zambia Consumer Association has welcomed government’s plans enact the Local Content Bill in a bid to promote the utilisation of local products and services in various sectors of the economy.
In an interview with Money FM News, Association Executive Secretary, Juba Sakala said the proposed bill should also ensure that it provides adequate incentives to manufacturers for them to produce competitive products.
‘‘What we need to do is to make sure this campaign is visible by giving incentives to companies so that they are able to produce products that will compete with foreign products on the market,’’ he said.
‘‘If the quality of Zambian products fail to compete with foreign products currently on the market, then it will not be feasible for the bill to achieve its goal.’’
Mr. Sakala said consumers are ready to embrace local products and services as long as they are of quality.
‘‘Consumers have always been ready to support and embrace quality local products that is why some Zambian companies like Trade Kings have grown,’’ he added.
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Christopher Yaluma yesterday revealed that his ministry has embarked on developing the Local Content Bill which will promote the utilization of local products and services in the country.