Businesses urged to increase productivity

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 09:21:11 +0000

By SANDRA MACHIMA

LOCAL businesses have been urged to respond to the Government’s initiative to subsidize electricity tariffs by increasing production and passing on the benefits of such move to consumers, says Zambia Consumer Association acting executive secretary Juba Sakala.

Mr Sakala said Government’s initiative had the potential to improve consumer welfare and also enhance the competitiveness of the local industry and in the process increase production, leading to job creation and greater consumer welfare.

“We applaud the decision by President Edgar Lungu to consider electricity tariff subsidy for the productive sector, as such a move would enhance the competitiveness of the local industry,” he said.

Government said it would consider subsidizing production and not at consumption level, following concerns raised by farmers regarding the escalated electricity tariffs and requested for consideration for special tariff and a subsidy.

President Lungu was recently in Mkushi district where he addressed the farming community, and farmers raised concerns regarding the high electricity tariffs and requested for consideration for special tariff and a subsidy.