The Zambia Development Agency says it will continue to promote economic diversification by targeting over 2.9 billion US dollars worth of non-traditional exports countrywide.

ZDA Acting Director General, Matongo Matamwandi said the Agency targets over  3.5 billion US dollars projected investment and more than 1.5 billion US dollars actualized investment from 2017, 2018 & 2019 projections.

Mr. Matamwandi added that the targeted 3 percent growth in 2020 is amidst the fiscal challenges faced in 2019, due to global economic conditions, domestic fiscal challenges, energy shocks, reduced agriculture outputs, among other macroeconomic fundamentals.
“2020 will have a higher focus on actualizing projected investments recorded in 2019 which include the actualization of high value projects in energy and agro-processing plants into the farming blocks,” Mr. Matamwandi stated.

He further said the Agency will lead registered Zambian business on trade missions to Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and China among others so as to increase export promotion of food stuffs such as sugar and beef into the regional markets.

“By virtue of Zambia’s central location within Africa, a key development in securing markets was the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement by Government which presents vast opportunities for export growth and job creation.”
“The strategic focus on women and youth Small & Medium Enterprises will continue in 2020 through the hosting of the Enterprise Development Conference and SADC Women Entrepreneurship,” he said.
He also said the recent legalization of Marijuana exports is expected to increase the value of Non-Traditional Exports in 2020 and make the country more resilient to shocks in copper prices.

He also said the recent legalization of Marijuana exports is expected to increase the value of Non-Traditional Exports in 2020 and make the country more resilient to shocks in copper prices.