The Southern African Cross Border Trade Association (SACBTA) will engage the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to resolve the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) suspension of imported drinks and beer from Zambia.
The Association says it has become vital to engage SADC to understand whether the ban affects Zambia alone considering that neighboring countries also deal in the banned products and fears that the ban is acting as a new non-tariff barrier, which should not be left unresolved.
In an interview today, SACBTA president Jacob Makambwe expressed worry at the prolonged discussions between Zambia and DRC to resolve the matter.
“We need to appreciate why this decision was taken so quickly by the DRC and the reasons behind it. This sudden move has sent panic in the markets as forex inflows will dwindle and eventually affect the Kwacha because proceeds from exporting these products contribute to forex inflows,” Mr. Makambwe says.
He indicated that stakeholders such as Zambian Breweries would also have to be engaged as the impact of the ban would not spare them.
The DRC recently announced a ban on the importation of beer and soft drinks from Zambia for the next 12 months. Traders in the affected products are concerned that the decision might cripple a lot of small-scale traders at Tunduma and Nakonde borders, the manufacturers, and local distributors.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga has confirmed that talks are underway to facilitate smooth and fruitful discussions with his counterpart in DRC.
