Global Traders Association of Zambia has called on traders across the country to come on board to help in fostering development and preserve businesses for future generations.

Association President Joseph Chanda told Money FM News that if well harnessed, the subsector has a high potential of reducing unemployment and poverty levels in the country.

Mr. Chanda observed that due to the influx of foreign traders with big financial muscles, local traders with smaller capitals are disadvantaged because most of them largely depend on imports for their businesses to succeed.

He further stated that a number of local traders are failing to access cheap loan facilities due to high lending rates and lack of the required collateral in order for them to expand their businesses, hence the need for government’s intervention.

“The association has been engaging various government institutions through the ministry of commerce, trade and industries on issues that affects Zambian traders which in other unfortunate circumstances have resulted in closure of some businesses. Among the challenges that we face are shop rentals. Most of commercial properties in the Central Business District are charged in foreign currencies or kwacha equivalent, hence when the kwacha depreciates, monthly rentals automatically go up.”

“Price discrimination in trading is another challenge. This problem has been increasing in the recent past globally e.g. some manufacturers are in a tendency of giving dealership or distribution rights and lower prices to their fellow countrymen than the locals. Zambian traders largely depend on imports for their businesses to thrive, unfortunately in the recent past we have observed an influx of foreign traders with big financial muscles coming into the country and disadvantage local traders with smaller capital,” Mr. Chanda lamented.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chanda urged the Ministry of health to consider reducing the amount charged for one to acquire a Covid-19 certificate.

He said the K1, 500 that is being currently charged is too high for traders to afford as all of are still struggling to get back on their feet.

“We would also want to appeal to the government through the Ministry of health to reconsider the amount charged for one to acquire Covid-19 certificate, we feel k1500 that is being charged currently is too high for our members as all of us are struggling.”

“We wish to encourage all Zambian traders to find time of our busy schedules to register as voters as this is our democratic right,” Mr. Chanda emphasized.