A Consumer Body says the performance of the Kwacha which is now selling at above 13 against one dollar will negatively impact on consumers.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM, Zambia Consumer Association Executive Secretary Juba Sakala says the appreciation of the dollar will result in price increase of most commodities, a situation he observes will make it difficult for consumers to meet their basic needs.
He has since urged manufacturers to find means of not hiking prices by reducing on their profit margins.
Meanwhile, a Financial and Business Analyst says the Kwacha is likely to continue trading above 3.1 to 3.2 this month.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Mambo Hamaundu says this is because Zambia imports more than its exports to earn foreign exchange.
Mr Hamaundu says the local currency is under a lot of pressure due to servicing of the external debt and the existing trade imbalance with its major trade partners in the region.
The Kwacha against the U.S dollar on Monday this week continued trading at over 13 Kwacha unchanged from last week on Friday.
There was very little market activity during the session as most players especially corporates remained cautious in anticipation of the Kwacha rebounding.
Elsewhere in other emerging markets, the South African Rand came under further pressure against the U.S dollar as it touched an intra-day low $/ZAR15.4626 on the backdrop of political uncertainty as well as a bleak economic outlook which has continued to weigh on the currency (Reuters).