Zambia Association of Manufactures (ZAM) says it is reviewing measures that the South African economy has put in place with regards to trade following the lockdown of that country.

Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Association Vice President South, Chipego Zulu said the review aims at determining whether Zambia will be able to access inputs over the course of the 21 days that South Africa will be locked down.

Ms. Zulu said Zambia is a net importer of not only finished products but also inputs for the manufacturing sector and production.

“So when we are looking at the trade aspect of it right now, the Zambia Association of Manufactures is reviewing the measures that the South African economy has put in place with regards to trade to determine whether Zambia will be able to access inputs over the course of the 21 days that South Africa will be locked down” Ms Zulu said.

She noted that the decision whether Zambia is ready for a lockdown is yet to be determined based on increased dialogue between the private sector and various stakeholders in government that are part of the Covid-19 response plan.

“So drawing from the we have seen now, specifically with the South African economy locking down for the past 21 days, whether Zambia is prepared for a lock down itself is yet to be determined I believe and it is on the basis of increased dialogue between the private sector and various stakeholders in government that are part of the Covid-19 response plan” She said.

Ms. Zulu has also observed the need for the epidemic to be addressed before it escalates and becomes unmanageable.
“So what is key to recognize for manufactures is that we will need to address this from a people management perspective as well as from a trade management perspective, so looking at people it stands to reason that we do need to contain we need to make sure that we address that problem at the root before it escalates and becomes unmanageable” She explained.

“And then from trade perceive we need to recognize the fact that Zambia has and is a net importer and this is not just on finished products, it’s also on inputs for the manufacturing sector and production as well as facilitation production”

She added that there is need for the country to facilitate the process and ensure that production locally continues even in the face of a lock down.