• Government must take keen interest in maintaining export routes.
• There is a huge market for various food products in neighboring countries.
• Local business players must get involved in production of goods.

Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has called on Ministry of Infrastructure and Urban Development to take keen interest in maintaining export routes such as the Ndola-Mufulira road that leads to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Chamber President Dr. Chabuka Kawesha said there is a huge market for various food products in neighboring countries but that the poor state of roads is a hindrance, therefore the need for the Ministry to look into the matter.
“The aspect of accessibility to countries is the biggest challenge because bad roads increase the cost of transportation and time of delivering goods,” Dr. Kawesha explained.
Dr. Kawesha further encouraged local business players to get involved in production of goods and begin to export to other countries.
“Local business people must enter into firm partnerships and begin to produce light manufacturing tools that can be used in the mining and Agriculture sectors to avoid importation of such materials,” he said.
He also noted that Angola is a country that needs a lot of beef and chickens, hence Zambians must take advantage of the foreign market.
“As private industry there are a number of elements that we have observed that are negatively affecting the industry from being vibrant in the export market that calls for urgent attention,” he added.