The Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry has noted that fears of Zambia becoming a dumping ground for exported goods once it ratifies the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) are unfounded.
Minister in charge Christopher Yaluma says the agreement does not pose any threats as the country already belongs to wide customs free trade areas in the Southern African Development Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Mr. Yaluma says government has mechanisms in place to promote industrialization by attracting investors in the manufacturing sector through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
He said this as he welcomed the resolutions of the Meeting of Ministers of Trade in preparation for the operationalization of the AfCFTA during the July 2019 Extraordinary Heads of States and Government summit in Niger
The Minister adds that Zambia has consulted widely and the proposal for ratification will be taken to Parliament so that Zambia will not be left out of the benefits that will accrue state parties to the CFTA.