By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
OVER 450 export based enterprises have been linked to regional and global markets by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA).
This was done by facilitating market development and promoting export development, says ZDA Board chairperson, David Masupa.
The Agency linked 450 export-based enterprises to regional and global markets in 2020 by facilitating market development and promoting export development, compared to 250 exporters in 2019, representing an increase of 80 percent,”he said in an interview.
Bishop Masupa also said ZDA has provided Business Development Support Services (BDS) to 3,203 MSMEs.
He explained that this was compared to 4,505 MSMEs in 2019, representing a reduction of 28.9 per cent. “Despite the drop in the number of MSMEs supported, the Agency recorded a 1.6 percent increase in projected employment (From MSMEs), from 5,987 jobs in 2019 to 6,082 in 2020,” Bishop Masupa said.
Meanwhile, Bishop Masupa said the value of non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) marginally reduced from US$2.26 billion in 2019 to US$ 1.94 billion in 2020.
Furthermore, he said, the share of NTEs to total exports slightly reduced from 25.31 percent in 2019 to 24.5 percent in 2020.
Bishop Masupa said the reduced share of NTEs to total exports could be attributed to the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic, exchange rate volatility and energy deficits.
On the youth and women, Bishop Masupa said ZDA in 2020 implemented specific and deliberate interventions targeting youths and women entrepreneurs.
“During 2020, 1,265 enterprises owned by youth and women accessed business services compared to 1,712 MSMEs in 2019.
“Further, of the total aggregate of enterprises supported, 1,265 MSMEs, representing 74 percent were exclusively women-owned ventures, while 26 percent were owned by youth, compared to 16 percent of women and 22 percent of youth in 2019,” he said.
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